The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has reaffirmed the commitment of the traditional institution to promoting peace and discouraging electoral violence ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship election.
The monarch gave the assurance on Thursday while receiving the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, and members of her management team at the Ile Oodua Palace in Ile-Ife.
The visit formed part of INEC’s ongoing stakeholder engagement aimed at strengthening collaboration with traditional rulers and other key actors to ensure the conduct of peaceful, free, fair and credible elections in the state.
Speaking during the visit, Babalola commended the Ooni for his consistent efforts in fostering peace, unity and stability across Osun State and Yorubaland, describing him as a dependable partner in advancing democratic values.
She appealed for the monarch’s continued support and prayers as preparations intensify for the governorship election.
According to her, elections should not be viewed as a battlefield but as a democratic process that enables citizens to freely choose their leaders.
She urged eligible voters to participate peacefully, stressing that INEC had expanded voter education campaigns targeting women, youths, persons with disabilities and students to encourage wider participation.
Babalola also advised citizens to make use of their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) on election day and warned against vote-buying, saying selling votes amounts to mortgaging the future.
She reiterated the commission’s commitment to conducting transparent, credible and inclusive elections that would reflect the true will of the electorate.
Responding, the Ooni assured INEC of the unwavering support of the traditional institution, describing peace as the bedrock of democracy and sustainable development.
He pledged to continue mobilising traditional rulers and communities to discourage political violence, particularly among young people.
“We are on the same page with INEC. We will continue to advocate peaceful coexistence in our communities and encourage our youths not to allow themselves to be used as instruments of violence,” the monarch said.
He also urged the electoral commission to remain professional, transparent and impartial in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities, adding that credible elections would strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s democracy.
“We do not want bloodshed. We reject political violence in all its forms. Let our elections be peaceful, credible and acceptable to all,” he added.
Civil Society Calls for Greater Transparency
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Civil Society Matters, IMOLE Campaign Council, Hon. Funmiso Babarinde, has urged INEC to complement its election preparedness with greater transparency and sustained stakeholder engagement.
Speaking in Osogbo, Babarinde commended the commission for identifying 385 flashpoints and more than 200 difficult terrains ahead of the election.
He, however, called on INEC to disclose, where security considerations permit, the affected local government areas and communities to enable political parties, security agencies, election observers and civil society organisations to strengthen voter education, logistics planning and conflict prevention measures before election day.
Ejigbo Monarch Endorses Adeleke
In a separate development, the Ogiyan of Ejigboland, Oba Omowonunola Oyeyode Oyesosin, endorsed Governor Ademola Adeleke for a second term during the commissioning of three roads in Ejigbo.
The monarch praised the governor for executing projects that addressed the needs of the community and assured him of overwhelming support from the people of Ejigbo in the August 15 election.
He prayed for Adeleke’s victory, expressing confidence that the governor would secure another term in office.
Also speaking at the event, the member representing Ede/Ejigbo/Egbedore Federal Constituency, Hon. Bamidele Salam, commended the governor for delivering several infrastructure, education and healthcare projects across the area.
Muslim Stakeholders Endorse Oyebamiji
Similarly, a coalition of Concerned Muslim Stakeholders and the League of Alfas in Osun State has endorsed the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Munirudeen Oyebamiji, ahead of the election.
At a press conference titled State of the Nation, the group said its endorsement followed an assessment of the leading candidates, their political structures, commitment to religious inclusion and electoral viability.
The statement, jointly signed by the President of the coalition, Sheikh Qozeem AbdulRahaman, and the Secretary-General, Mallam Abdulganiy Sahid Olaide Ezra, said although the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Hon. Najeem Salam, was also a respected Muslim, Oyebamiji possessed the political reach and statewide support needed to secure victory.
The group also condemned recent incidents of political violence and killings in Osun State, urging politicians across party lines to embrace peaceful campaigns.
While calling for fairness and equitable representation in governance, the coalition expressed concern over what it described as the political marginalisation of Muslims under the current administration and opposed the continuation of a Christian-Christian governorship ticket in the state.
The stakeholders maintained that their position was based on the principles of equity and inclusion rather than opposition to Christians holding public office.