Osun election: Ooni says tension ‘becoming unbearable’

By Dorcas Elusogbon

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has urged political leaders to allow the electorate to determine Osun state’s next governor through a free, fair and credible electoral process.

The revered traditional ruler said this while condemning the rising political tension in the state ahead of the Aug. 15 governorship election.

“There is political tension in the state and, truth be told, the tension is becoming unbearable for us. As traditional rulers, we must remain above politics because Osun is bigger than any politician,” Oba Ogunwusi said.

He spoke while receiving Prof. Joash Amupitan, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday.

Amupitan led a delegation of the commission on a courtesy visit to seek the support and blessings of the traditional institution, ahead of the off-cycle governorship election.

Ooni, in a statement by Mr Moses Olafare, the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, on Tuesday in Ile-Ife, urged political stakeholders to embrace peace.

Addressing the INEC Chairman, Ooni said that the prevailing political atmosphere in the state had become increasingly worrisome, stressing that traditional rulers, as custodians of peace and unity, could not remain silent while tensions continued to escalate.

“We occupy the thrones of our forefathers, and our responsibility is to speak the truth at all times, irrespective of political affiliations,” he said.

Ooni said that the traditional institution owed a duty to engage political leaders constructively and remind them that governance should be centred on justice, fairness and the welfare of the people rather than partisan interests.

According to him, politicians may change alliances based on personal or political interests, but the traditional institution remains permanently committed to protecting the peace, stability and unity of the state.

“Politics is about interests. Those who are opponents today may become allies tomorrow, but the people remain. We do not want political interests to divide our communities or threaten the peace of Osun.

“Let the people come out freely to vote and decide who they want to govern them,” he said.

Oba Ogunwusi called on INEC to discharge its constitutional responsibilities with absolute neutrality, transparency and professionalism, noting that the electoral umpire held the key to reducing the current political anxiety across the state.

“You are the umpire. Be very just, upright and transparent in the conduct of this election. We want the election to be free, fair and credible.

“You have the responsibility to douse the growing tension and inspire confidence among all political stakeholders,” he said.

Ooni commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process and for creating an enabling environment for INEC to operate independently.

“We appreciate President Bola Tinubu for empowering INEC to function independently and for providing the commission with the support needed to carry out its constitutional mandate.

”We believe that the commission should justify that confidence by ensuring justice, fairness and credibility throughout the electoral process,” he said.

While appealing to political parties, candidates and their supporters to avoid inflammatory rhetoric capable of provoking violence, Ooni warned against allowing political competition to degenerate into hostility.

He said that no election should be allowed to destroy relationships or permanently divide communities, reminding politicians that they would continue to coexist long after the polls.

“The traditional institution will continue to promote peace across Osun. We will continue to encourage politicians to embrace peaceful campaigns because elections should never become a source of bloodshed, destruction or division,” Oba Ogunwusi said.

The Ooni also urged citizens to participate peacefully in the electoral process without fear or intimidation, insisting that the wishes of the electorate must ultimately prevail.

Earlier, INEC Chairman, Amupitan, said that the visit to the Ooni’s Palace was both a cultural obligation and an institutional engagement, aimed at securing the support of the traditional institution for a peaceful governorship election.

He described Ile-Ife as the ancestral home of the Yoruba race and the Ooni as the foremost custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition.

Amupitan said that the commission recognised the influential role of traditional rulers in promoting peace and public confidence during elections.

“We have come to pay homage to Your Imperial Majesty and seek your royal blessings. Osun occupies a unique place in Nigeria because its people are politically conscious.

“This election is significant, not only for Osun State, but also as a major test ahead of the 2027 general elections,” he said.

The INEC chairman assured the royal fathers that the commission remained committed to delivering a free, fair, transparent and credible governorship election.

He added that technology, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), would be fully deployed to safeguard the integrity of the process.

He disclosed that rebuilding public confidence in INEC remained a major priority of his administration, and that such confidence could only be earned through transparent elections that genuinely reflected the will of the people.

Amupitan also appealed to traditional rulers to intensify efforts at promoting peaceful coexistence, by prevailing on political actors and their supporters to reject violence and embrace issue-based campaigns.

He expressed concern over the prevailing security situation in the state and urged political parties to refrain from actions capable of threatening public peace.

The INEC chairman further cautioned against vote-buying and other electoral malpractices, encouraging eligible voters to reject inducements and exercise their civic responsibility freely.

He assured residents that adequate electoral materials would be deployed across the state ahead of the election.

Amupitan urged political parties and members of the public to rely only on official information from INEC and avoid spreading unverified claims capable of heightening political tension.

INEC delegation was received by the Ooni alongside prominent traditional rulers from the Osun State Council of Obas, who gathered at the palace for the engagement. (NAN)