Ekiti elders under the umbrella Igbimo Ure Ekiti (IUE) have warned against any form of violence during the governorship election holding in Ekiti State this coming Saturday, July 14, 2018.

They issued the warning on Sunday during a press briefing held in Ikeja, Lagos, addressed by IUE President, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, a former Minister of State for Health.

The Ekiti elders “made the point abundantly clear” that they “do not want Ekiti State to be a theatre of war in the unbridled, mad, and selfish ambition to grab power and governance of Ekiti State at any and all cost.”

“Igbimo Ure Ekiti (IUE) wishes to warn that there will be consequences for any politician that maybe involved in any act of violence before, during, and after the July 2018 election in the state. We believe we have the capacity not only to give this warning, but also to enforce it. We vividly remember that our forebears sacrificed life and limb to protect the integrity and fundamental values which make up the hallmark of the Ekiti people. Our own generation is not about to abandon the pursuit and sustainability of the virtues of integrity and uncommon bonding, a heritage for which Ekiti people have been known for generations,” Adelusi-Adeluyi said while reading a prepared speech.

On the likely use of soldiers for the election, IUE said: “With the palpable fear of the people within the State that the army may be used for this election, we call on Mr President and Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammed Buhari to ensure that men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces are not involved in an electoral process that is totally, essentially and constitutionally a civil matter.

“Election is not a war. The earlier we began to instil confidence in the ability and the capacity of the Nigerian Police Force together with other civil security agencies for the prevention and detection of crime, apprehension of offenders, protection of lives and properties, preservation of law and order and due enforcement of our laws and regulations including our electoral laws, regulations and guidelines, the better for our democracy.”

Appealing to various stakeholders to help make the polls peaceful and credible, IUE said: “The desire to sustain this democracy, is very paramount. In this connection, we say no to the erosion or subjugation of the rights of Ekiti people to choose their own Governor through a transparent electoral process. IUE does not intend to watch the State being led into ruins. IUE has therefore resolved to work with other stakeholders to ensure that the July 14^th, 2018 governorship election is peaceful, free, fair and transparent that will produce a governor who will propel the State towards the needed quantum leap in the socio-economic growth and development of Ekiti State.

“As for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), we shall hold the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu by his words that INEC will be transparent in their dealings, diligent in their efforts and accountable not only to the people but to all Electoral Monitoring Groups both local and international so as to ensure that the election is not only proclaimed to be free and fair but is actually seen to be free, fair, transparent and credible. We charge INEC to ensure that every vote counts and that whatever technology is deployed for the election is fool proof and beyond question. After all, there are less than 1 million registered voters in Ekiti. There are 16 local governments and the terrain is even and easily accessible. There is no doubt that the Ekiti State July 14^th, 2018 election will be a litmus test and a model to the 2019 general elections. IUE expects INEC to demonstrate not only their independence, but also that they are a reliable umpire for all the contending political parties.

“We appeal to election observers from various interest groups to be totally impartial and turn in credible reports during the election.

“To the Police and other Security Agencies, we call for your vigilance, fairness and even-handedness throughout the election period. IUE commends the leadership, men and women of the security agencies for their good work in 2014. Your performance at that time must be seen as the least expected of you all in the 2018 election.

“To our traditional rulers, we beseech you to please continue to ensure that politicians do not invade your kingdoms to recruit thugs or import thugs to your domains. Please note that thugs are hired by desperate politicians to instil fear, cause destabilisation and trepidation among the people. As the fathers of all, please feel free to call any erring politician in your domain to order. Let us all be involved in the task of preventing violence leading to the destruction of lives and properties of our people. We urge you to resist any attempt by any political leader or leaders to recruit the youths of your domain both employed and unemployed as political thugs and hirelings during the process of this election.

“To our religious leaders, IUE covets your prayers for a very successful and violent free election.

“To the youths, it is important for you to realise that to accept to be a thug or hireling to any political leader or leaders is to destroy yourself physically, mentally and psychologically both in the present and in the future. Resist ev0ery attempt to be enticed with money and other momentary gains at the expense of your destiny. Your future is way more important.”

The press conference was graced by several IUE chieftains, among them the Secretary, Sir Remi Omotoso; Deacon Dele Adesina, SAN; Dr. Ayo Ajayi; Dr. (Mrs) Funke Adebajo; Chief Wole Olanipekun OFR, SAN; Chief (Dr) Deji Adegbite; Princess (Mrs) Adebisi Ogunneye; and Sir (Chief) Olufemi Daramola.

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