Ahead of the Osun governorship contest scheduled for August 15, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has formally requested that all parties maintain peace. This message was relayed through Sodiq Lawal, a palace spokesperson, following a meeting between the monarch and officials from the African Democratic Congress, including their candidate, Najeem Salaam.
Representing the Ooni, Oba Adekola Adeyeye emphasized that Ile-Ife holds a unique position as the spiritual foundation of the Yoruba people. He urged political leaders to prioritize the development of this historical city, drawing comparisons to the growth observed in other ancestral hubs like Sokoto and Enugu. He noted that the legacy of former governor Ooni Adesoji Aderemi serves as a reminder of the city’s potential, yet argued that current progress has not matched its cultural importance.
Addressing the upcoming electoral process, the monarch urged politicians and their supporters to reject violence. He maintained that democratic participation should never lead to loss of life or social division. Rauf Aregbesola, the African Democratic Congress national secretary, noted that his party traditionally begins its campaigns in Ile-Ife to honor its cultural roots and seek the traditional ruler’s blessing, a practice the party has upheld since 2004.
