Ooni of Ife Warns Against Political Violence, Urges INEC to Uphold Electoral Integrity
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By Monica Duruji
The Ooni of Ife, , has cautioned politicians against promoting violence ahead of Nigeria's forthcoming electoral cycles, urging all stakeholders to place national peace and democratic values above personal political ambitions.
The revered traditional ruler stressed that no political office is worth the loss of human lives, warning that acts of intimidation, violence, and electoral manipulation pose serious threats to Nigeria's democratic development and national unity.
Speaking during a public engagement on democratic governance, the monarch called on political leaders to conduct their activities with restraint, fairness, and respect for the rule of law. He emphasized that the nation's stability must remain paramount regardless of political differences.
According to the Ooni, democracy can only flourish when citizens are allowed to freely choose their leaders without fear, coercion, manipulation, or undue influence. He noted that peaceful elections remain the foundation of credible governance and sustainable national development.
The monarch also urged the (INEC) to maintain the highest standards of transparency, neutrality, and professionalism throughout the electoral process. He said the electoral umpire has a constitutional responsibility to ensure that every legitimate vote counts and that the genuine will of the electorate is reflected in election outcomes.
He maintained that public confidence in elections depends largely on the impartiality of electoral institutions, adding that Nigerians expect the commission to remain independent and resist every form of external pressure.
Addressing the nation's youth, Oba Ogunwusi appealed to them not to allow themselves to be recruited by desperate politicians to perpetrate violence before, during, or after elections. He warned that while politicians may pursue their interests, it is often young people who bear the greatest consequences of electoral crises through injuries, arrests, and loss of lives.
The traditional ruler encouraged young Nigerians to become ambassadors of peace by promoting issue-based campaigns, civic participation, and responsible political engagement instead of violence and hate.
He further appealed to political parties, candidates, security agencies, civil society organisations, and religious and traditional leaders to work collectively toward ensuring peaceful, free, and credible elections across the country.
According to him, preserving peace during elections is a shared responsibility that requires sincerity, tolerance, and commitment from every stakeholder.
Political violence has remained a recurring concern in Nigeria's electoral history, with incidents of ballot-box snatching, voter intimidation, clashes between party supporters, and attacks on electoral officials recorded in several election cycles.
Ahead of future elections, political, religious, and traditional leaders have continued to advocate peaceful conduct and credible electoral processes to strengthen public confidence in democracy. Traditional rulers, particularly influential monarchs such as the Ooni of Ife, have consistently used their moral authority to encourage dialogue, peaceful coexistence, and national unity during periods of heightened political activities.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has also repeatedly assured Nigerians of its commitment to conducting elections that are free, fair, credible, and transparent in accordance with the Constitution and the Electoral Act.
Political observers welcomed the Ooni's intervention, describing it as timely amid growing political activities across the country. They noted that influential traditional institutions have an important role in promoting peace and discouraging violence during elections.
Civil society groups also renewed calls for political parties to embrace issue-based campaigns instead of inflammatory rhetoric capable of inciting supporters to violence. They urged security agencies to remain neutral and professionally enforce the law throughout the electoral process.
Youth advocates similarly endorsed the monarch's appeal, encouraging young Nigerians to reject financial inducements from politicians seeking to use them as instruments of violence. They called on the government and political leaders to create greater opportunities for youth participation in governance through peaceful and democratic means.
Many citizens also expressed hope that INEC and other institutions involved in election management would uphold transparency and fairness, ensuring that the votes of Nigerians determine electoral outcomes without interference.
