The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II has on Thursday sent a last minute message to all political candidates ahead of the 2023 elections.
The monarch warned against comments that could lead to violence before and during the election.
The Ooni stated this while speaking during a news conference in his palace in Ile-Ife
He noted that no one should force themselves on the Nigerian people and begged politicians not to be too desperate in their quest for power.
He advised politicians that the fact that they might lose today does not mean they would not win some other time.
He said, “If you don’t win today, it may be your turn tomorrow and this is why I am imploring office seekers not to destroy tomorrow with actions of today.
“I call on Nigerians, especially the youth population, which is the largest to partake in the polls as enshrined in the constitution, not to violate any of the processes.”
According to him, the country has already been through a lot including the recent fuel scarcity among others, and could not afford more trouble.
He said that the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), must work to give Nigerians free, fair and credible polls.
Ogunwusi also charged security agents to maintain their status as defenders of our constitution by creating an enabling environment and not bullying the electorate.
“To, we, traditional rulers, I implore us to remain apolitical and neutral as fathers that we are to all politicians and electorate.
“We must not be seen promoting political parties or politicians and should not have preferred candidates in the forthcoming elections.”
