23rd February, 2023
Two days before the Presidential and the National Assembly elections in Nigeria, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, on Thursday sent a last-minute message to politicians to avoid heating up the polity.
He advised against inciting comments that could lead to violence before, during and after the general elections.
Addressing a news conference in his Palace, on Thursday in Ile-Ife, Ogunwusi said “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 actions of today.
“I call on Nigerians, especially the youth population, which is the largest to partake in the polls as enshrined in the constitution, not to violate any of the processes”, the traditional ruler said.
According to him, the country has already been through a lot including the recent fuel scarcity among others and could not afford more trouble.
He said that the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), must work to give Nigerians free, fair and credible polls.
Ogunwusi also charged security agents to maintain their status as defenders of our constitution by creating an enabling environment and not bullying the electorate.
“To, we, traditional rulers, I implore us to remain apolitical and neutral as fathers that we are to all politicians and electorate.
“We must not be seen promoting political parties or politicians and should not have preferred candidates in the forthcoming elections” the Ooni is quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The Ooni condemned the reported political violent attacks in some parts of the country particularly Ile-Ife, stressing that Nigerians must be patriotic in their conduct always.