The National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan SAN, on Tuesday urged the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, to prevail on political gladiators to ensure that the forthcoming gubernatorial in Osun State is peaceful.

Speaking at the palace of the Ooni, in the ancient city of Ile-Ife, he stated: “Help us tell them that the blood of innocent people is not worth the governorship election. So nobody should be killed, or should be mistreated, or should be harassed.”

Amupitan, who was at the palace, alongside INEC National Commissioners and the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Osun, Oluwatoyin Babalola, described August 15 polls as the most consequential off cycle exercise preceding 2027 general elections.

He stated, “We look at Osun as a mirror through which we can see the general election that is coming up next year. So it is so important and dear to us. We are here, our royal fathers, to seek your royal blessings. To tap into your fatherly wisdom and share our preparations with you and the good people of Osun State.

“A lot of fears and concerns have been expressed as to the election that is coming up on the 15th of August. As far as we are concerned, an election is successful if it is peaceful, if it starts on time and ends on time and if the result is collated transparently at a good time.

“We have had concerns in the past few weeks over the security situation in Osun State, and that is why, as the custodian of our people, we want to appeal to our royal fathers to help us appeal to our politicians, the political actors and political parties to ensure that this election is peaceful.

Traditional rulers in Osun State have declared that political tension in the state is unbearable and really worrisome ahead of the August 15 governorship election, “Amupitan remarked.

Apparently referencing the recent carting away of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) and other election materials in Okuku community of Odo-Otin Local Government in the state, the INEC emphasised that”BVAS is our game-changer. All those issues of ballot paper stealing won’t affect the poll. If you are not accredited by BVAS, that vote will not be counted. So I am assuring Osun electorates that their votes will count.”

While speaking on behalf of Osun traditional rulers, Oba Ogunwusi also expressed growing concern over tension and fear which have gripped the residents of the state, contending that collective interest of the state should override political lineages.

“There is tension in Osun State right now. The political tension is so much, becoming unbearable and really worrisome. We do not want to rock the boat. We want elections to come very freely and very fairly and very justly.

“We have been deliberating for the last five hours. Are we going to fold our hands, we traditional rulers? We should live above politics because Osun State is bigger than all those politicians. Osun State is bigger than us”, he posited.

Oba Ogunwusi, however, lauded Amupitan for his track record, just as tasked INEC as an institution to be  impartial and eschew any form of bias in order to deliver credible and acceptable polls.

Traditional rulers, who joined Ooni to receive Amupitan include the Orangun of Ila, Oba Abdulwahab Kayode Adedotun; Timi of Ede, Oba Adesola Lawal; Akire of Ikire, Tajudeen Olanrewaju; and Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Omowonuola Oyeyode.

Also in attendance are the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdur-Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi, Olowu of Kuta, Oba Adekunle Makama Oyelude, and Orangun of Oke Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin.