Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has warned politicians against violent conduct before, during and after the 2023 general elections.
The Ooni, who is Co-chairman, National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) made the call yesterday, during a media parley, which he hosted at his Ile Oodua Palace, Ile Ife, Osun State.
Ooni had on Wednesday, during an interactive session with politicians in Ile Ife, which held at his Ile-Oodua palace, declared that he has no preferred candidate in the forthcoming elections.
He condemned the reported political violent attacks in some parts of the country particularly Ile Ife, stressing that Nigerians must be patriotic in their conducts always, charging the security agencies to ensure the arrest of perpetrators of violence and other criminal activities before, during and after the polls in the interest of law and order.
He said, “No politician can force his or herself on Nigerians and this is why our politicians should avoid being desperate in their quest for power.”
If you don’t win today, it may be your turn tomorrow and this is why I am imploring office seekers not to destroy tomorrow with inactions of today.
“I call on Nigerians, especially the youth population, which is the largest to partake in the polls as enshrined in constitution and not violate any of the processes. The country has already been through a lot including the recent fuel scarcity among others. We can afford more trouble.
“The umpires especially the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must work to give Nigerians a free, fair and credible polls, while the security agents should maintain their status as defender of our Constitution by creating enabling environment and not bully electorate.
“To we, the traditional rulers, I implore us to remain apolitical and neutral as a fathers that we are to all politicians and electorate. We must not be seen promoting political parties or politicians.”
The royal father advised politicians against heating the polity with inciting comments that could lead to violence before, during and after the general elections.
This is as the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Olalekan Balogun, Alli-Okunmade II, advocated peaceful conduct and also counselled eligible voters against apathy.
Addressing a news conference in his Palace, yesterdays, in Ile-Ife, Ogunwusi said the country has already been through a lot including the recent fuel scarcity among others and could not afford more trouble.
“No one can force his or herself on Nigerians and this is why our politicians should avoid being desperate in their quest for power. If you don’t win today, it may be your turn tomorrow, and this is why I am imploring office seekers not to destroy tomorrow with inactions of today. I call on Nigerians, especially the youth population, which is the largest to partake in the polls as enshrined in constitution, not to violate any of the processes.”
The monarch tasked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to give Nigerians free, fair and credible polls.
He also charged security agents to maintain their status as defenders of the constitution by creating enabling environment and not bullying the electorate.
He also charged traditional rulers to remain apolitical and neutral as fathers that to all politicians and electorate.
On his part, the Olubadan said Nigerians should not allow the current discomfort across the land occasioned by the redesigned naira notes, cashless policy, and fuel scarcity to discourage them from going out in their large numbers and vote for candidates of their choice.
The monarch in a statement by his spokesperson, Oladele Ogunsola, said: “There’s the tendency for people to be apathetic to the elections, having been wearied by the prevailing problems; but, that’s not the best way to react. I empathize with our people, but, I will want them not to see apathy as a way of getting back at the government for the unpalatable situation.
“Election is part of the civic responsibilities of every good citizen and should any eligible person stay away from the poll, it is a demonstration of the opposite of good which is bad. No government can do everything, not even the governments of the so-called advanced countries. So, we owe it a duty to ourselves and our unborn children to be part of the process of bringing on board of another government.”
The Olubadan commended INEC for the assurances given to Nigerians that it would give the country a credible, free, and fair election, stressing that the electoral umpire has so far demonstrated commitment to the pledge of good conduct of the 2023 polls.
The Guardian/ The Sun
