By Ado Oyeyemi
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has appealed to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, to conduct the forthcoming Osun State governorship election with fairness and transparency, warning that the political atmosphere in the state has become increasingly tense.
The monarch made the appeal on Tuesday while receiving the INEC chairman during a courtesy visit to his palace ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Speaking on behalf of traditional rulers in the state, the Ooni said growing political tension had become a source of concern, urging the electoral umpire to protect the integrity of the poll by allowing voters to freely choose their preferred candidates.
He stressed that traditional rulers have a responsibility to promote peace and stability, insisting that the interest of Osun State should take precedence over political affiliations.
According to him, politicians, irrespective of party differences, should be guided by justice, fairness and the welfare of the people rather than personal or partisan interests.
The monarch called on INEC to uphold its independence and ensure that the election is free, fair and credible, adding that the commission has a unique opportunity to strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
He also expressed confidence in the commission’s leadership, urging it to leave behind a legacy of credible elections through professionalism and impartiality.
The Ooni further appealed to political actors to avoid actions capable of disrupting public peace, maintaining that residents should be able to participate in the election without intimidation or interference.
He said the appeal reflected the collective position of the traditional institution in Osun State, which desires a peaceful electoral process that truly reflects the will of the electorate.
Earlier, INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan acknowledged that rebuilding public confidence remains one of the commission’s greatest challenges.
He also identified the spread of misinformation and fake news on social media as a major obstacle to public trust, noting that the commission is committed to conducting elections that are transparent, credible and acceptable to Nigerians.
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According to him, consistent delivery of free and fair elections remains the most effective way to restore confidence in the nation’s electoral system.
