Ooni of Ife finally speaks over Obasanjo’s call for election cancellation

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has called for peace and advised electoral stakeholders to follow the path of resolution rather than calls for the cancellation of the 2023 election results.

He made the call on Tuesday, February 28, a few hours after former President Olusegun Obasanjo appealed for elections to be cancelled in areas where the violence was recorded during the elections.

Ooni advised aggrieved individuals to seek proper procedures in venting their displeasure over the conduct of the election.

He said: “All over the world, elections are known to be disputed. And the tension must be addressed in a way in line with law of the land and in accordance with the best global practices.

“All politicians involved and their respective political parties without exception (need) not to do anything capable of heating up the polity as this dangerously amounts to torching up a simmering fire of Nigerian cohesion.”

The Yoruba monarch further added that the country's unity, peace and progress come first before any individual, no matter how powerful.

He said: “Nigeria and indeed some Nigerians are yet to recover from the hurts that emanated from the mismanagement of the #ENDSARS protest. That is why we must be watchful of our conduct and speeches.

“Nigerians have suffered enough and any form of uproar will add to the already harsh condition of living for Nigerians especially the poor and vulnerable amongst us. I equally urge our youths to resist all pressure to be utilized by unpatriotic elements as thugs.”