Traditional rulers in Ekiti State on Thursday reaffirmed their commitment to a peaceful and credible governorship election scheduled for June 20.
The Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Adejimi Adu-Alagbado, pledged the readiness of traditional rulers to cooperate with the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure a hitch-free election.
The council chairman, represented by the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole, spoke at the Obas Council Chambers in Ado Ekiti while hosting the INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan.
Amupitan was at the council chambers to seek the cooperation and support of the monarchs in promoting peace and stability before, during and after the June 20 governorship election in the state.
The traditional council pledged its readiness “to work with INEC in the interest of peace in our various domains and the state,” adding that “It is our desire to have a smooth, peaceful, credible and free and fair election across Ekiti State on June 20.”
Oba Adewole, speaking with The after the meeting, said, “The INEC chairman came to appeal to us as fathers of the land to support INEC in conducting a successful election.
“He urged us to encourage our people to collect their Permanent Voter Cards so that they can come out to vote on election day and vote peacefully according to their conscience.
“What he requested aligns with our views. We made it clear to him that we are working across our domains and praying that the election will be peaceful and devoid of any crisis.
“We told him that we are also praying for the leadership of INEC for divine guidance in their undertakings, while advising that the commission should remain an unbiased umpire.
“We pledged that we are ready to work with INEC in the interest of peace in our various domains and the state. It is our desire to have a smooth, peaceful, credible, free and fair election.
“As far as we are concerned, all obas and our people are ready and committed to a hitch-free election.”
Amupitan had informed the monarchs during the meeting that INEC was on its second readiness assessment visit to the state, reviewing logistics, technology and security arrangements ahead of the election.
The INEC chairman assured the traditional rulers of the commission’s preparedness and sought their support in preserving the peace and democratic integrity of Ekiti State.