Traditional rulers in Ondo State, under the aegis of De 130 Krowns Club Obas, on Friday urged the political class in the country to shun desperation in their political ambitions as they prepare for the 2019 general elections.
Oba Kolapo Adegbite-Adedoyin, the new president of the monarchs’ group and Owa Ale of Ikare-Akoko, made the appeal at their annual general meeting held at the palace of Odede of Igboegunrin, Oba Olatunji Kalejaiye, in Ilaje Local Government Area.
The monarch, who said that politicians should not see election as do or die, also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct credible and acceptable polls.
“If truly politicians want to serve the people, they don’t need to be desperate or induce voters with money, because our democracy must be jealously protected from desperate politicians.
“Politicians must know that power belongs to God, and we want to advise INEC, security agencies and other stakeholders to ensure 2019 general elections follow the necessary laws of the land.
“And we, Kabiyesis, must ensure and see that law and order is maintained before, during and after the 2019 general elections.
“Our Kabiyesis should also tell their subjects to collect their PVCs from INEC offices in all the local government areas in the state for the purpose of voting in the next general elections in 2019,” he said.
Adegbite-Adedoyin appealed to Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to approve payment of five per cent of local government monthly allocation to traditional institutions in the state as required by the law.
The new leader of the group of monarchs said the payment would help them to have resources to take care of their health and maintain their palaces to protect historic heritage and culture of every community in the state.
He also called on the state and federal governments to rehabilitate roads in Akoko/Owo axis and Akure-Ikere Ekiti road without further delay, to tackle insecurity and loss of lives and property of the citizenry.
“Our roads such as Owo-Ikare-Okeagbe Road, Ikare-Ajowa Road, Owo-Ipele-Isua-Akunu, Akure-Itaogbolu-Iju-Ekiti Road and other arterial roads in the state have become impassable and need urgent attention,” the monarch said.
Adegbite-Adedoyin promised that the new executive would work in harmony with the state Council of Obas and the state government with a view to improving the status of the traditional institution in the state, to enable it to achieve its objectives and plans in governance.
The new Vice President of the group and Akapinsa of Ipinsa in Akure south area, Oba Omoniyi Olufunmilayo, said approving the demands of the traditional rulers in the state would enable them to discharge their responsibilities of maintaining peace and promoting culture in their domains.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that other new officials of the group are: Oba Oluwadare Ojo, the Adapogun of Ipogun as Secretary; Oba Folagbade Ojo, the Olubuji of Ibuji as PRO; Oba Raphael Oyedele, Olu of Igbobini as Treasurer; Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, the Olu of Igbokoda, as Welfare; and Oba Adejoro Adedeji, Olusupare of Supare-Akoko as Chief Whip.(NAN)