Traditional chiefs from the palace of the Ooni of Ife have visited Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, praising what they described as significant development achieved under his administration.

The 16 palace chiefs met the governor at the Government House in Osogbo, where they said Ile-Ife had benefited from improved infrastructure and increased government presence in recent years.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Oba Adediwura Idowu, the Obalufe of Ife, said residents of the ancient town were satisfied with the governor’s performance, particularly in the area of public works.

He said the scale of development so far suggested that “more could be achieved” if the governor were to continue in office.

The chiefs also commended Mr Adeleke for maintaining what they described as a cordial relationship with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi. They said the relationship had helped to promote peace, unity and cooperation within Osun State and the wider Yoruba region.

Another palace chief, Baba Lowa Adimula, pointed to ongoing road construction and other infrastructure projects in Ile-Ife, describing them as evidence of the governor’s commitment to the town.

He urged the state government to speed up work on a bridge project currently under construction and called for the adjoining road to be fully dualised up to the Ooni’s Palace at Enuwa to ease traffic congestion and support economic activity.

During the visit, the chiefs also raised concerns about the continued withholding of local government funds by the federal authorities.

They said the situation had affected the payment of entitlements to traditional institutions and other local government beneficiaries for almost a year, and called for an urgent resolution.

The delegation concluded the visit by offering prayers for the governor’s success and reaffirming their support for his administration.