Oba Ogunwusi also said royal fathers were neutral and independent in the issue of politics just like INEC.
He spoke during a meeting the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, held with traditional rulers across the state in the Ooni’s palace in Ile-Ife.
A statement by Moses Olafare, the monarch’s spokesperson quoting Oba Ogunwusi further read, “We, the traditional rulers share a similar feature with your commission which is independence and neutrality. We are not politicians and that is why we have the control of all our subjects including politicians regardless of their parties.
“I must commend the INEC for their daily introduction of technology into our electoral lives, which has made rigging almost impossible. To cap it all, we now have an electoral act amendment which complements the advancement of our leadership selection process.
“Look at the one called Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, the introduction of that singular device has turned around the fortune of our dear country. With the BVAS, result of the Ekiti State governorship election was declared in less than 24 hours which has never happened in the history of our dear country.
“Luckily for Nigeria and Nigerians, we have an INEC Chairman who is patriotic and well in character. My advice for the commission and its leadership is to make Nigeria their biggest project.”
The INEC boss while speaking earlier, commended the Ooni-led Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers, for their roles in peacekeeping and creation of enabling environment for the conduct of elections.
Yakubu said, “We are aware that you have done a lot, I was here in 2018 during the last governorship election in Osun and I can see clearly that the atmosphere is calm, serene, quiet and I am absolutely clear in my mind that you have done a lot to give us what we are seeing.”
“We are appealing to Your Royal Highnesses to talk to the political gladiators; the politicians and their supporters to play by the rules of the game as there can never be a credible election in an atmosphere of rancor.
“Politicians and their followers must give peace a chance for the election to be conducted and concluded promptly during the remaining days of the campaign and after the election.”
