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From Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Olalekan Balogun, Alli-Okunmade II, has advocated peaceful conduct of the 2023 general elections, and also counselled eligible voters against apathy, ahead of this Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections.
The first-class monarch gave the advice in a press statement made available to journalists in Ibadan on Thursday by his Personal Assistant (Media), Mr. Oladele Ogunsola.
According to him, Nigerians should not allow the current discomfort across the land occasioned by the redesigned naira notes, cashless policy, and fuel scarcity to discourage them from going out in their large numbers and vote for the candidates of their choice.
Oba Balogun said: “There’s the tendency for people to be apathetic to the elections, having been wearied by the prevailing problems; but, that’s not the best way to react. I empathize with our people, but, I will want them not to see apathy as a way of getting back at the government for the unpalatable situation.
“Election is part of the civic responsibilities of every good citizen and should any eligible person stay away from the poll, it is a demonstration of the opposite of good which is bad. No government can do everything, not even the governments of the so-called advanced countries. So, we owe it a duty to ourselves and our unborn children to be part of the process of bringing on board of another government.
“We are about beginning another journey of four years and whatever we do now as far as the elections are concerned would play a very serious significant purpose in our respective lives in the next four years. So, the message to all is that, please, don’t abandon the poll, go out and vote for the candidate of your choice. It is by going out to cast your votes that you would prevent others from choosing your leaders for you.
“In doing that, please, let’s be orderly and peaceful in our conduct. We must all be conscious that by being unruly and troublemakers at the venue of the election. We are indirectly creating problem for our preferred candidates because the electoral umpire has every right under the law to cancel election in any place where the atmosphere is less conducive for proper conduct of election.”
In the same vein, Olubadan commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the assurances given to Nigerians that it would give the country a credible, free, and fair election, stressing that the electoral umpire has so far demonstrated commitment to the pledge of good conduct of the 2023 polls.
“So far so good, the electoral body has been faithful to its mandate as well as its time-table and it is hopeful that it would finish well. All eyes are you,l – INEC, for elections that all of us can be proud of. Not only in Nigeria are you being watched, but from across the globe. Nigeria is the central focus of Africa and whatever we do is like we are projecting the entire continent.
“So, you cannot afford to fail and it is gratifying to note according to reports that the Federal Government has given you the maximum support necessary for effective and efficient service delivery.”
