The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has offered his royal blessing to the South-West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA) ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.

A statement on Tuesday by the palace’s senior media officer, Sodiq Lawal, said the traditional ruler commended President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda during the group’s visit, led by its national chairman, Senator Adedayo Adeyeye.

The palace spokesman explained that the group visited to seek the monarch’s ancestral blessings before officially launching its campaign in Osogbo, Osun State, and to rally support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.

The Ooni urged political stakeholders across party lines to ensure that campaigns in the state remained peaceful, issue-based and free of violence, adding that the collective interest of the state should take precedence over partisan politics.

The monarch, who offered ancestral prayers for the state and the nation, expressed optimism that the forthcoming governorship election in the state would be peaceful, free and credible.

He commended Mr Tinubu’s administration for implementing significant strides in national development, particularly in infrastructure renewal, housing development and empowerment initiatives.

Mr Ogunwusi said, “I am happy you are all here. We will continue to work together for the progress of our country. I commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the various developmental initiatives his administration is implementing across the country, especially in infrastructure, housing and empowerment programmes.”

“I pray that Olodumare grants peace to Osun State before, during and after the governorship election. May our democratic process continue to strengthen the unity and development of our dear nation. Thank you for coming, and may God bless your efforts.”

The national chairman of SWAGA described the Ooni as a distinguished traditional ruler, whose blessings have continued to inspire political leaders and contribute to successful democratic outings.

He recalled that the group visited the monarch before the 2023 presidential election to seek royal blessings for Mr Tinubu’s presidential bid, adding that the group remained confident in the importance of the monarch’s prayers.

Mr Adeyeye said, “We have come to receive your blessings before launching SWAGA 2.0 in Osogbo. Before every major assignment, we always seek your prayers because of your unique position as the custodian of our heritage and a father to all.

“We are equally proud of the achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, particularly in infrastructure development, education through the NELFUND initiative, road construction, economic reforms and efforts aimed at stabilising the nation’s economy.

“We are also here to seek your blessings for our governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, believing that with God’s guidance and your royal prayers, he will emerge victorious in the forthcoming election.”