Osun 2022: Ooni Preaches Peace as Adeleke Visits Palace

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

The Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has pleaded with politicians and their followers to ensure that peace reign before, during and after the forthcoming gubernatorial election next year in Osun State.

Ooni Ogunwusi made the call in his palace while playing host to a gubernatorial aspirant of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ademola Adelekeat his Ile Oodua palace, Ile-Ife.

The Ooni, who is the Co-chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, stated that most crisis that characterised previous elections in the state and Nigeria in general, were instigated by followers.

“It is your fans, admirers and followers that hear and say a lot to direct your leaders’ minds, I want to urge you to act with all sense of responsibility as violence won’t pay anyone. Do not mount unnecessary pressure on your leaders to prevent them from giving empty promises. Be diligent at all times and it shall be well with you all,” The Ooni admonished.

Earlier in his speech, Senator Adeleke, who described the Ooni as a worthy father, lamented the poor state of roads and other amenities in Ile-Ife, assuring that fortunes of the ancient city would be turn around it he is given the chance of governing the state.

“I have always cherished the great throne of Oduduwa here in Ife and the personality of the Ooni, I will never disrespect it and I will not allow anyone to hold it in contempt. By God’s grace, I shall make provision for a Private Jet to make all Ooni’s local in international trips easier. I am not making mouth, it is what I will do. With the plan to erect the Osun airport, Baba (The Ooni) would be picked from the palace with an helicopter to the nearest airport to board aero plane to anywhere seamlessly.

On the current state of Ife, Adeleke said: “I am moved to tears when I see the poor state of our roads and others, this would be changed next year. The cause of this decay it is because the current government has destroyed the local government system, making the supposed closest tier of government very far from the people.”

Similarly, the Obalufe of Ife, Oba Idowu Adediwura urged Adeleke to be a man of his words, explaining that many has been said in the past by politicians who often disappear after electoral victories.

In the same vein, the Lowa Adimula of Ife, High-Chief Adekola Adeyeye challenged members of the PDP in Ife to be ready to hold their leaders to account on their premises, adding that the innocent masses are watching as events unfold.