THE Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Soliu Adetunji, has urged the people of Ibadanland to eschew violence and conduct themselves peacefully during the Saturday governorship and House of Assembly elections.
The monarch spoke through a former Minister of Sports, Prof Taoheed Adedoja, at a community peace meeting of political stakeholders held at Ward 4, Popoyemoja in Ibadan Southwest Local Government Area of Oyo State, on Thursday.
Adedoja, who is a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State, said the peace meeting became crucial considering the pervasive tension during past elections in some parts of the city.
He said: “It is noteworthy that during the presidential and National Assembly elections we did not have any record of violence at Popoyemoja. There used to be tension in the past because the youths were misunderstood. There are no area boys at Popoyemoja; what we have are youths.
“This is Popoyemoja, the seat of the Olubadan. Anytime the Olubadan speaks, he talks about the need to maintain peace and tranquillity within his domain. You don’t expect the Olubadan to necessarily attend the meeting by himself.
“As the elections hold on Saturday, it is important for us to appeal to all members of the community, regardless of party affiliation, to maintain peace. There should be no conflict because here we have intelligent youths. So, we have come to appeal to us all and I am happy that both the youth and adults honoured our invitation to this meeting.
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“I want to seize this opportunity to appeal to every member of the community to appeal for peace as there should be no violence during the elections.
“It is traditional of me to address our community a day to elections but we are meeting today giving respect to directives by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that there should be no gathering of this nature 24 hours before elections.”
He said although several peace meetings had earlier been called in respect of the Saturday elections, further peace initiatives were also allowed.
Asked if the former Minister had defected to the APC as rumoured, he said: “At this meeting, I addressed the APC, the PDP, as well as members of other political parties. I remain in PDP.”
In attendance at the meeting were the APC Chairman in Ibadan Southwest, Mr O Aderemi; Mr Oludare Busari, loyalists of different political parties in the area and community leaders at Popoyemoja.
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