Ekiti elections: Ooni of Ife speaks on violence during Saturday’s poll

Ahead of the Saturday's governorship election in Ekiti State, the Ooni
of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has warned people of the state
against acts of violence.

The monarch warned that if the "election is bloody" in Ekiti State,
"other states will be affected too."

Ooni, who is the co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional
Rulers of Nigeria gave the advice on Wednesday at his palace in
Ile-Ife while hosting the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul
Arkwright.

He urged the youths in Ekiti State to refuse to be used as agents of
electoral violence and criminality, saying they too have rights to
occupy the public offices of leadership such as governorship or
presidency in the nearest future.

According to Ooni, "What I heard happening in Ekiti state during this
electioneering period does not make me happy as their father. Enough
of crisis, we do not want any crisis in Yorubaland, where there is
violence, progress and tranquillity will be deprived, but where there
is peace, there is progress.

"I specifically warn all youths in Ekiti state to maintain peaceful
coexistence before, during and after the election, as brighter future
awaits them if they productively discover themselves.

"Youths must refuse to be used for political violence that wastes
their lives because they too can become governor or President of the
country in the nearest future."