Ede Elders Urge Residents to Ensure Peaceful Osun Governorship Election
By Waliu Adetokun, Osogbo
The Ede Elders Council (Igbimo Agbaagba Omo Ilu Ede) has appealed to sons and daughters of Ede, as well as all eligible voters in the community, to ensure a peaceful and violence-free conduct of the forthcoming Osun State governorship election.
The appeal was made by the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Ede Descendants Union and President of the Ede Elders Council, Alhaji Sulaimon Ademola Adebayo, during a peace meeting held in Ede with key stakeholders ahead of the election.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Publicity Director of the Ede Elders Council, Chief Dr Ayodele Adeyemo, JP, Adebayo urged eligible voters to come out in large numbers to perform their civic duty and vote for candidates of their choice without rancour, intimidation or violence.
He said the appeal was aimed at protecting the unity and peaceful coexistence of the people of Ede, regardless of their political affiliations.
Speaking at the meeting, which brought together prominent sons and daughters of Ede, Adebayo commended the contributions of indigenes of the town to politics, academia, industry, commerce, security, culture, entertainment and other areas of national development.
He said the contributions of Ede indigenes across different sectors had continued to contribute to the growth and development of the ancient town and its recognition beyond the shores of Nigeria.
Adebayo said, “Ede is a renowned Omoluabi town whose unity in love must not be jeopardised by political differences. Political leaning or choice is personal and must be respected.
“This was why the intervention and appeals by Ede Elders and the leadership of Ede Descendants Union were necessary and appropriate.”
The elders said the meeting ended on a cordial note, with the participants voluntarily pledging to work towards maintaining peace and stability in Ede before, during and after the governorship election.
They also appreciated what they described as the timely intervention and appeals by the leadership of the Ede Elders Council and Ede Descendants Union Worldwide.
According to the statement, the stakeholders described the elders as “torch bearers and pathfinders” whose interventions were focused on safeguarding the unity, peace and development of Ede.
The council therefore called on all political actors, supporters and residents of Ede to put the interests of the community above political differences and allow every eligible voter to freely exercise their constitutional right to vote.
It urged all stakeholders to shun violence, intimidation, provocation and other actions capable of threatening the peace of the community before, during and after the election.