The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi has appealed to politicians and their supporters in Osun State to shun violence ahead of the forthcoming governorship election, stressing that political contests are temporary, but the consequences of bloodshed are irreversible.
The revered monarch made the appeal on Thursday when the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), paid him a courtesy visit at the Ooni’s Palace in Ile-Ife as part of activities marking the flag-off of the party’s governorship campaign.
Addressing party faithful and political stakeholders at the palace, Ooni urged politicians across party lines to conduct their campaigns peacefully and avoid actions capable of disrupting the peace that has long defined Ile-Ife and Osun State.
“I saw everywhere painted in blue with the logo of a political party. I want to appeal to everyone not to create problems for our political leaders. We do not want bloodshed in Ile-Ife or anywhere in Osun State,” the monarch said.
He reminded politicians and their supporters that while elections are seasonal, human lives are priceless and should never be sacrificed on the altar of political ambition.
“Politics will come and go. I plead with you in the name of God and on behalf of all traditional rulers to ensure that this election is peaceful,” he added.
The Ooni also called on eligible voters to come out peacefully on election day to exercise their civic responsibility, urging them to uphold the cherished Omoluabi values for which Osun people are renowned.
“On election day, go out and perform your civic responsibility peacefully. We do not want bloodshed. The forthcoming election should reflect the Omoluabi values that we are known for. Let us set a good example for others to emulate,” he said.
Describing Ile-Ife as the cradle of the Yoruba race, Oba Ogunwusi said it would be unacceptable for the ancient city to become synonymous with electoral violence.
“Ile-Ife is our ancestral home and the source of our heritage. It will not be good for us to record violence during elections. I am not asking anyone to point guns at one another. Rather, I urge everyone to remain law-abiding and be the responsible citizens we are known to be.”
The monarch further stressed that the collective peace and progress of Osun State should take precedence over individual political interests.
“Osun State is greater than any individual, and Ile-Ife is greater than all of us. Elections will come and go, but anyone who loses his or her life is gone forever. No political office is worth the blood of any citizen,” he warned.
Meanwhile, addressing supporters during the APC campaign flag-off at Enuwa Square in Ile-Ife, Oyebamiji pledged to run an inclusive administration anchored on fairness and equitable development across the state if elected governor.
“We will not use all the resources of the state to develop one town while neglecting others, as the current government is doing. We shall be fair to every town and community in the distribution of our resources because every part of Osun deserves equal attention and development,” Oyebamiji said.