The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade has appealed to politicians in the ancient city of Ile-Ife not to turn the community into a theatre of war.
The traditional ruler also advised the residents of the town to shun violence before and during the August 9 Governorship election in the state.
Oba Sijuwade’s appeal came against the rising wave of violence between the supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and its main challenger, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Speaking through the Obalufe of Ife, Oba S. F. Omisakin at a press conference held at the House of Chiefs in the Palace of the Ooni of Ife, the Ooni warned against political violence in the ancient town.
He decried the recent violent attack between members of the APC and those of the PDP in the town and therefore stressed the need for all politicians in the town to preach peace and work towards sustenance of peaceful co-existence.
At the Press Conference attended by all traditional chiefs in Ile-Ife and heads of various quarters, the Ooni of Ife who is also the President, Osun state Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs said only a peaceful election could guarantee development in the state.
He stressed that all the candidates seeking the Governorship position are his children, hence his resolve to render necessary advice to all of them in the interest of the state and the Yoruba nation at large.
“I have no preferred candidate among all the candidates’ they are all my children. There is none of them that would emerge as the winner that can neglect Ile-Ife, this is because they are all from the source,” he said.
He also called on the residents of the ancient town to be vigilant to strange faces recruited to distrupt the hitherto peaceful atmosphere of the town.
“Ooni remains committed to Ife sons and Daughters who have been contributing in kind and cash to the progress and development of Ile-Ife, but says no to violence and thuggery as miscreants and political thugs shall be handed over to the law enforcement agents,” he maintained.
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