EKITI: Ooni, Aare Adams express worries

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, have expressed worries over happenings in Ekiti ahead of the Saturday governorship election in that state.

Their worries followed the alleged attack on the state governor, Ayodele Fayose on Wednesday by men of the Nigerian Police deployed in the state for the Saturday’s election.

Ooni, in a statement on Thursday through the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs of his palace, said that he was not happy with what is happening in Ekiti State.

The statement quoted Ooni as making this comment when the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Paul Arkwright, paid him a courtesy visit at his palace in Ile Ife.

“What I heard happening in Ekiti State during this electioneering period does not make me happy as their father. Enough of the crisis; we do not want any crisis in Yorubaland. Where there is violence, progress and tranquillity will be deprived, but where there is peace, there is progress.

“I specifically warn all youths in Ekiti State to maintain peaceful coexistence before, during and after the election, as brighter future awaits them if they productively discover themselves.

“Youths must refuse to be used for political violence that waste lives because they too can become governor or President of the country in the nearest future,” Ooni said.

Arkwright, who happens to be the United Kingdom Chief Observer to Nigeria on the gubernatorial election in Ekiti State, in a comment, called for a free, fair, credible and peaceful election in Ekiti.

Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, also in a statement signed by his special assistant on media, Kehinde Aderemi, expressed concern over the prevailing situation in the state, saying election should not be a do- or die affair.

He however urged all the stakeholders in the state, including political parties, candidates and the electorate to ensure peace and tranquility in the state, before, during and after the election.

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“In the build-up to Saturday’s election, Ekiti State has been in the news for the wrong reason. A situation where the security of the electorate is not guaranteed is not acceptable to our democracy in the 21st century. The election in Ekiti on Saturday will be the first election in the southwest, since my installation as the Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land in January.

“As the Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, with strong belief in the promotion of Yoruba culture, and a proponent of peace across the world, I urge the Inspector General of Police, the Department of State Security(DSS), and other government’s security architecture to rise up to the challenges of ensuring peace in Ekiti this Saturday.

“A situation where security operatives allegedly wear masks a few hours to an election is uncalled-for. Therefore, politicians must play by the rule, not forgetting that elections would go, but Ekiti State will remain,” he said.

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