By Ann Azuka
The Asagba of Asaba, Obi (Prof.) Chike Edozien has frowned at the attitude of the presidential candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP) in next year’s election, Prince Adewole Adebayo for keeping him waiting for over three hours.
Adebayo and his political entourage were billed for a courtesy call on the monarch at 12 noon on Thursday at his palace in Asaba, Delta State, but did not show up till about 3.50pm, keeping the monarch and his council of chiefs waiting.
He however cautioned the presidential candidate to turn a new leaf, avoid the practice of African time always and live by example.
Prince Adebayo is from a royal home in Ondo State, and on his entourage were Delta State governorship candidate of the party, Kenneth Gbagi; former Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung; South-South chairman of SDP, Alowei Fredrick; Delta State chairman of the party, Oke Idawene, among others.
However, the obviously peeved 97-year old royal father who took the presidential candidate and his entourage to the cleaners, said its unfortunate for those who had early contacts with western education to be displaying such high level of lateness for appointment.
The monarch, a Professor of Medicine, spoke through the Palace Secretary and Ihonor of Asaba Kingdom, Chief Patrick Ndili.
According to Edozien, we are very much displeased that you came three hours behind schedule. His Royal Majesty has been sitting here since 12 noon, you can imagine the pains considering his age.
“It is quite unfortunate because our chiefs would have by now, retired to their homes to rest. We are not happy that we have been waiting endlessly.
“As a people who came in contact with western education many years ago, we keep to time. Don’t play with us in this manner because we have learnt to keep to time,” he fumed.
Prof. Edozien lamented that Nigerian currency has been de-valued more than 1,000 times since independence, and asked the presidential candidate how would he fix the economy.
Apologising for the lateness, Adebayo said the SDP team had traveling difficulties, adding that he was ready to “pay the appropriate traditional fines, and we have learnt our lesson.”
Adebayo who spoke on how to fix the economy and insecurity, said the bane of the country was lack of truth and justice.
He promised to institute truth and justice in governance if elected.
Also addressing the monarch and his council of chiefs, Mr. Gbagi, a former Minister of State for Education, said there was no reason to have kept the royal father waiting for that long.
