The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has called on politicians and their supporters in Osun State to shun violence and embrace peace ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The monarch gave the charge at his palace in Ile-Ife while receiving the reelection campaign team of Governor Ademola Adeleke, led by the Chairman of the Imole Campaign Council and former PDP National Secretary, Prof Wale Oladipo.
Oba Ogunwusi said Osun was bigger than any individual or political interest, and urged political actors across all divides to avoid hate speech and actions capable of destabilising the state.
“I am appealing to politicians and their followers to shun violence. The whole world is watching Osun, and we must show them that we are peace-loving people,” the Ooni said.
“Osun is bigger than any political party or person, and we must ensure that our actions do not disturb the peace of the state. We should not fight ourselves. God is the only one who enthrones,” he added.
The campaign council also visited the palace to seek royal blessings before formally commencing its electioneering activities. In his remarks, Prof Oladipo said the group was committed to a peaceful campaign and urged opposition parties to reciprocate the gesture.
The Ooni’s call comes amid concerns over election security in the state. The Kukah Centre recently identified about 15 local government areas as falling within critical, high and moderate-risk categories, with Osogbo and Irewole listed under the critical-risk index. Other high-risk areas include Iwo, Boripe, Ife Central and Ife East.
In a separate engagement, the Ooni received the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, and pledged the support of the traditional institution to peaceful elections.
“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,” Oba Ogunwusi said.
He added that with the governorship election approaching, “this is the time for every stakeholder to place peace above politics”.
“We do not want bloodshed. We reject political violence in all its forms. Let our elections be peaceful, credible and acceptable to all,” the monarch said.
INEC, on its part, said it had intensified voter education and engagement with women, youths, persons with disabilities and student leaders to ensure no eligible voter is left behind.
