PAN-Yoruba group, Afenifere, has called on parties involved all stakeholders to in the governorship election taking place in Osun State on Saturday to conduct themselves peaceful in the interest of the citizens and democracy.
Leader of Afenifere, Oba Oladipo Olaitan., a gave the admonition in a statement titled: “Let peace reign,” on Thursday .
Afenifere told all vested interests in the election to realise that they owe the country the duty of ensuring a peaceful and nonviolent election.
It lamented the wave of ugly incidents that characterised the electioneering preceding culminating the election taking place tomorrow, urging the parties to comport themselves and guarantee the choice of the electorate prevail.
The statement by Afenifere read: “At this juncture in the political history of Osun State, we deem it fit and proper to offer some fatherly advice and caution on the governorship election coming up tomorrow in the state.
“We passionate plea for wisdom and proper conduct from all stakeholders, particularly the political parties, leaders, candidates, electoral commission and law enforcement agents on the management of the process.
“Weeks of violence, tirades, blame games and near subterfuge have exacerbated tensions, created acrimony and infused near bigotry among a people renowned for equanimity, high intellect, scholarship, respect for the sanctity of lives, and other values that exalt the sons of Oduduwa since time immemorial.
“Yoruba are known to be pacesetters in all positive trajectories of human capital development and decency. We lead while others take a cue from our propensity for breaking grounds.
“Therefore, we plead that the governorship election coming up tomorrow on in Osun State, must not be turned into an avoidable spectre of absurdities, untoward behaviours and inanities in whatever form and shade.”
Afenifere noted that Osun residents have come a long way as a people and as a state of harmony, the living spring and fountain of progressive tendencies, values and culture.
It added that “We must not allow anything to tar that reputation. In other words, the spirit of all shades of leaders, living and dead, who represent the finest among their peers in nation-building, must allow wisdom and wise counsel prevail before, during and after the ballot on Saturday.
“We make this solemn, sincere, profound and purposeful plea in the name of our founding fathers, forbearers and progenitor, so that posterity will remember and celebrate all residents of Osun State nay the Yoruba Nation, for doing good and demonstrating maturity, discipline and calmness, even in moments of perceived extreme provocation, confrontation and potentially dire situations.
“Our prayer in Afenifere is that all stakeholders guarantee an atmosphere of peace, which is sine quo non for stability, security of lives and property, economic growth and development, as well as communal conviviality.
“Election into public offices in a participatory democracy must be seen and embraced as a routine, practical competition; humans will always remain, and whose interest, from all intents and purposes, must override other primordial factors among the major actors.”