President Goodluck Jonathan held a closed-door meeting with the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, in his palace yesterday ahead of next month's elections.

The town, therefore, witnessed heavy presence of security operatives, causing fears and panic among residents.

The President arrived in an helicopter on the field of St. Bernadines Grammar School.

He was accompanied by some top government officials and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by its Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu.

Journalists were barred from the coverage of his arrival by heavily armed soldiers who cordoned off the school’s premises.

The President and his entourage later drove in motorcade via Owode to the Alaafin’s Palace.

Details of President Jonathan’s meeting with the Alaafin were still sketchy by press time, but palace sources hinted that it was part of President’s current campaign to be re-elected to the office.

As early as 8am, the security operatives, including battle-ready soldiers, stormed the ancient town in motorcade and blew sirens round major streets.

For about an hour, the ever-busy Owode/Durbar, along Oyo/Ogbomoso highway, was closed to the traffic. Movement of people within the highway was also restricted.

The highway was, however, later opened to the traffic amid uproar among residents, including motorists and commercial motorcyclists.

•Excerpted from a Newswatch Times report. Photo shows Jonathan.