It was a great moment for popular Fuji musician, Saheed Okunola also known as Saheed Osupa when he was made Youth Ambassador by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Oyo State.
The Youth Ambassador title was conferred on Saheed Osupa by INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barrister Mutiu Agboke during an interactive session with traditional rulers in Ibadan.
Following his investiture, King Saheed Osupa said he would use his vocal power to speak against voter inducement as well as tell youths to shun thuggery and violence throughout the electioneering period.
Meanwhile, as 2019 general elections gather momentum, Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oyo State, Mr Mutiu Agboke has reminded traditional rulers that they are not expected to front for or lead the campaign for particular candidates or political parties.
Agboke noted that instances where such custodians of culture openly declare support for particular candidates/parties runs foul of traditional ethics and tenets.
He warned that situations where traditional rulers hate particular parties/candidates at the expense of the other could threaten peace of their domain.
“The principle is that traditional rulers are the custodians of their environment. Technically, everybody within a locality must submit to the control of that traditional ruler. A traditional ruler is not expected for any reason to carry on his head the interest of a particular party or the other. A traditional ruler is not meant to hate one political party at the expense of the other.
“All the candidates/political parties will ask for royal blessings but when it comes to a situation where a traditional ruler will come out and disown one candidate against the other, it is not expected and runs foul against the traditional tenets and ethics,” Agboke said.
In his address, National Commissioner, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Adedeji Soyebi urged traditional rulers to educate their subjects against trading their votes.
He regarded vote buying as tantamount to people trading their future for peanuts and losing their right to speak against bad governance.
Soyebi urged traditional rulers on educating people to vote their conscience and ensuring a peaceful electoral process.
Among the traditional rulers at the event included the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji; Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adegbola; Onjo of Okeho, Oba Rafiu Mustapha; Oloko of Oko, Oba Olagoke Solomon; Asigangan of Igangan, Oba Olawuyi Adeoye; Sabiganna of Iganna, Oba Saliu Azeez; Bashorun of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Ayoola who represented the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; High Chief Ojo Adeniran who represented the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi.
In her goodwill message, Oyo State Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs Dolapo Dosunmu enjoined traditional rulers to re-double efforts in preaching against the vote buying and other anti-social values.
Dosumu also called on traditional rulers to ensure voters embrace the right political culture and admonish them to desist from hate-induced speeches that may set them against one another.
Speaking on behalf of other Obas, Oba Adegbola enjoined INEC to be fair and impartial in its conduct of the forthcoming elections and not favour particular candidates or parties.
Adegbola noted that allowing the emergence of those who are not the people’s choice would endanger the nation’s democracy.
In addition, he urged security agencies not to intimidate voters or deter them from expressing their franchise, in any form.
He assured that traditional rulers were committed to ensuring that their localities are peaceful throughout the period the elections will be held.
Packaged by Kunle Gazali
