As Nigerians prepare to go to the polls this year 2023 to elect their leaders, they have been called upon to elect leaders that have fear of God and respect views of the masses.
The Olu of Lisa Kingdom, Oba Oladele Odugbemi gave the call on Wednesday in his New Year message to the people of the country in his palace.
Oba Odugbemi appealed to the electorates to cast their votes for the candidates of their choice who will bring the country out of the calamities facing it, urging them to avoid vote trading.
The monarch reminded Nigerians that, their destiny are in their hands as the general elections approaches, hence the need to shun any form of vote buying and selling as what the country needs are leaders that will rescue the nation from the present economic hardship it is facing.
The Olu of Lisa Kingdom, Oba Odugbemi, who is also the Grand Patron of NUJ in the South West, charged governments at all levels to address the issue of insecurity plaguing the nation as well as the hike in prices of food stuffs in the market coupled with skyrocketing price of petroleum products making life unbearable for the people.
He advised the government to be proactive in its policies and programmes that would alleviate the sufferings of the masses by tackling the issue of insecurity and economic crisis being experienced by the people.
The monarch called on politicians not to heat up the polity during campaigns but rather harp on their programmes and manifestos urging them to shun campaign of calumny, blackmail, hatred, violence and thuggery.
While calling on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain an unbiased umpire, the monarch charged the commission to be truly independent in the conduct of the general elections without taking brief or order from any quarter before, during and after the elections.
Oba Odugbemi admonished the media to perform its roles as spelt out in the constitution by reporting accurately and objectively before, during and after the elections. The traditional ruler also enjoined the media to play an unbiased role by ensuring that the results of elections are reported accurately without any fear or favour, saying that anything short of accuracy of reportage on the part of the media may spell doom for the country.
The Olu of Lisa Kingdom urged the members of his community to continue to pray for the growth and development of Lisa community, saying that their prayers and commitment are needed at this trying period to save the community and the country as a whole from total collapse. He assured members of his community of continuous provision of developmental projects that will take Lisa town to the next level.
Oba Odugbemi therefore called on the state government to give attention to the rehabilitation or reconstruction of Ijoko-Oluke- Oyero-Lisa road axis begging for attention for over two decades.
“Year 2023, shall be a fruitful and peaceful one for all natives of Lisa in Nigeria and in the diaspora, Nigeria shall be great again,” the Kabiyesi said.
Packaged by Alice Egbedele
