‘We won’t endorse chaos’: Ooni, other Osun monarchs reject violence ahead guber poll
…as INEC chairman meets traditional rulers
Traditional rulers in Osun State, led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, have condemned rising political violence ahead of the August 15 governorship election, declaring that they will not support or legitimise any act capable of disrupting the state’s peace.
The position of the monarchs was contained in a post on Facebook by the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, following a five-hour meeting of the Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers on Tuesday.
According to the monarch, the meeting, presided over by the Orangun of Ila, Oba Abdulwahaab Olukayode Oyedotun Bibire, focused on the growing political tension in the state and the need to prevent a repeat of past electoral violence.
The monarchs expressed concern over reported political killings and other developments capable of undermining the peaceful atmosphere in Osun ahead of the governorship poll.
Following their deliberations, the traditional rulers received the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. A.M. Amupitan (SAN), and other officials, who briefed them on the commission’s level of preparedness for the election.
The royal fathers said they had unanimously resolved to remain non-partisan throughout the electoral process, stressing that every governorship candidate should be treated as their child.
“We must live above board. We must see all candidates as our children. Palaces must remain the home of all. We must never be partisan,” Oba Abolarin said.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s political history, the Oke Ila monarch said the royal fathers recalled the 1965 Western Region election crisis, popularly known as “Operation Wetie,” and warned against allowing political disagreements to degenerate into violence.
They noted that the crisis contributed to military intervention in Nigeria’s politics and eventually preceded the country’s civil war, insisting that such experiences must never be repeated.
“Osun cannot afford, and Nigeria cannot afford, a repeat of those ugly scenarios,” the statement further read.
The traditional rulers, therefore, appealed to INEC to conduct a free, fair, credible and transparent election that would reflect the wishes of the electorate.
They also urged security agencies to remain neutral, protect lives and property, and discharge their constitutional responsibilities professionally without taking sides.
Political parties and candidates were advised to conduct issue-based campaigns and embrace peaceful competition while avoiding violence and inflammatory rhetoric.
“The crown, the office, and power are transient. Blood is not. Do not shed the blood of our children for ambition,” Osun monarchs warned.
The traditional rulers equally appealed to residents of Osun State to participate peacefully in the election by safeguarding their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), rejecting thuggery, violence and hate speech.
Reaffirming the neutrality of traditional institutions, they declared that palaces across the state would remain open to all political actors without discrimination.
“We are fathers to all. We will not endorse chaos. We will not bless violence. We will bless peace,” Oba Abolarin declared.
Describing Osun as the heart of Yorubaland, the monarch warned that developments in the state would resonate beyond its borders with a call on the INEC leadership to uphold the integrity of the electoral process, noting that history would judge the commission by its conduct during the forthcoming governorship election.
