The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has called on political parties, candidates and residents of Osun State to embrace peace and unity ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The monarch made the appeal during a visit by the National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, the party’s governorship candidate, Najeem Salaam, and other party leaders to his palace in Ile-Ife.
Represented by the Lowa Adimula of Ifeland, Oba Adekola Adeyeye, the Ooni reiterated his commitment to fostering peaceful coexistence regardless of political differences. He also described Ile-Ife as the spiritual and historical origin of the Yoruba people, urging leaders to prioritise its development.
According to the monarch, Ile-Ife deserves greater attention because of its cultural and historical significance. He noted that while other ethnic groups continue to invest in their ancestral cities, Ile-Ife has not received the level of development expected of the cradle of the Yoruba race.
The Ooni recalled the contributions of the late Ooni Adesoji Aderemi, who served as governor of the old Western Region, saying his legacy extended beyond Ile-Ife and benefited the entire Yoruba nation.
He urged all political stakeholders to avoid violence and ensure that the election is conducted peacefully, stressing that political contests should not result in bloodshed or division among the people.
The monarch encouraged voters to freely exercise their democratic rights while calling on political parties and their supporters to conduct their campaigns responsibly.
Speaking during the visit, ADC National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola said the party deliberately chose Ile-Ife as the starting point of its governorship campaign because of the city’s deep cultural and historical importance to the Yoruba people.
He explained that it has been the party’s longstanding tradition to seek royal blessings in Ile-Ife before embarking on major political activities, adding that the visit was in keeping with that practice.
