A Traditional ruler, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, has called on Nigerians not to allow the current discomfort across the land, occasioned by the redesign of the Naira and fuel scarcity, to discourage them from exercising their civic duty by trooping out in large numbers to vote for their choice candidates in the election.
Oba Balogun, in a statement, noted that “There’s the tendency for people to be apathetic to the election having been wearied by the prevailing problems, but, that’s not the best way to react. I empathise with our people, but I will want them not to see apathy as a way of getting back at the government for the unpalatable situation.
“Election is part of the civic responsibilities of every good citizen and should any eligible person stay away from the poll, it is a demonstration of the opposite of good, which is bad. No government can do everything, not even the governments of the so called advance countries. So, we owe it a duty to ourselves and our unborn children to be part of the process of bringing on board another government,” the Monarch appealed.
The Olubadan affirmed that the journey of another four years was about to begin and whatever is done now, as far as the elections were concerned, would play a very serious and significant purpose in the nation, in the next four years.
He urged citizens not to abandon the poll but go out and vote for the candidate of their choice.
The Monarch noted that it was by going out to cast their votes that they would prevent others from choosing their leaders for them.
Oba Balogun said: “Please, let’s be orderly and peaceful in our conduct. We must all be conscious that by being unruly and trouble makers at the venue of the election, we are indirectly creating problem for our preferred candidates because the electoral umpire has every right under the law to cancel election in any place where the atmosphere is less conducive for proper conduct of election.”
The monarch commended the electoral umpire, INEC for the assurances given to Nigerians that it would give the country a credible, free and fair election.
He stressed that the body had so far demonstrated commitment to the pledge of good conduct of the 2023 polls.
He stated: “So far so good, the electoral body has been faithful to its mandate as well as its time-table and it is hopeful that it would finish well. All eyes are you, INEC, for election that all of us can be proud of. Not only in Nigeria are you being watched, but from across the globe. Nigeria is the central focus of Africa and whatever we do is like we are projecting the entire continent. So, you cannot afford to fail.”
Oba Balogun further commended the Nigerian Government for giving INEC the maximum support necessary for effective and efficient service delivery.
Nigerians would go to the polls on Saturday to elect a new president and members of the two arms of the National Assembly: the Senate and the House of Representatives, under the supervision of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC for another four years.
Confidence Okwuchi
