By Bisi Olominu
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As Nigerians go to the poll on Saturday, the Deji of Akure Kingdom, Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo has called on the citizens of Ondo State to come out enmasse and vote for candidates of their choice.
Oba Aladetoyinbo who spoke on a Radio Nigeria, Positive FM programme monitored in Akure on Wednesday, urged the people of the state not to be downcast with the election postponement, but see it as a motivator to troop out in large number and cast their votes.
“If they show apathy and decide not to vote, then they don’t have any reason to criticise those who win at the poll. So I am calling on them to come out in large number this Saturday to exercise their franchise”.
He also warned political thugs to heed the warning of the president not to hijack electoral materials or cause trouble, saying a word is enough for the wise.
The political thugs should have a rethink and know that the children of those who have given them peanut, to hijack ballot boxes and cause confusion are in overseas countries. So, they too must think about their dear lives”.
The Deji called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to ensure a free, fair and credible elections stressing that the whole world are on them.
He noted that “INEC should ensure free, fair and acceptable elections in the country. The electoral body should ensure that the election is transparent and it must not be postponed again”.
On vote buying, Oba Aladetoyinbo warned those selling their votes in exchange for money to desist, noting that the amount received for selling their votes would not take them anywhere or make them rich.
According to him, it is demeaning for someone to sell his or her right for money as such person would not be able to criticise those elected when they are not performing up to expectation.
The Akure monarch also called on journalists to be objective and never publish results not released by the electoral body, saying that unverified results can spark violence.