Kunle Adelabu
The Ijebu Obas in Lagos State have called on the residents of the state to get involved in the political process by ensuring that they register for their Permanent Voters’ Register (PVC).
The revered traditional rulers, while stating that they have been mobilizing residents towards registering for their PVCs, also assured that there will not be any violence in the state.
These were the message of the monarchs while speaking with journalists shortly after their meeting hosted by His Royal Majesty, Oba Olukayode David Raji Balogun, Olugbade I, the Eweye of Isiwu at his Isiwu palace, on Wednesday, May 4, 2022.
Traditional rulers from Ikorodu, Epe, Ibeju – Lekki, Langbasa and other parts that made up the ljebu Kingdoms in Lagos State, have been meeting regularly to advance the cause for their domains and the state in general.
His Royal Majesty, Oba (Engr.) Kabir Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, addressing journalists on behalf of his colleagues, said that the meeting was about the progress and developments in various community of the individual traditional rulers and the state at large.
He charged residents to get their PVCs to participate in the electoral process, while also adding that political actors must ensure that the elections did not degenerate into violence.
“All the Obas in our association are concerned about the progress and development of our areas and our dear State in general”, he said.
“Election is an important affair and we must all participate to chose who we want to represent us and how we wanted to be governed.
“We want to tell politicians and those contesting that election is not a do or die affair and they must conduct their affairs very well.
“There will never be chaos in Lagos State and we have been engaging our people to be peaceful about how they go about their activities, especially during this period “, Oba Shotobi said.
“As Obas, we will be wiling and ready to intervene and mediate among politicians to prevent any crisis in our state”.
Oba Shotobi also reiterated that royal fathers are in support of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Presidency.
“We are in support of the man with pedigree, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He is the only man that can lead the country”.
The royal father also called for state and community policing, stating that it is the most effective way of handling insecurity.
Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Barr.) Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, also speaking, said that royal fathers have been playing their roles in ensuring peace in their respective domains and state at large.
While coroborating Oba Shotobi’s statements, Oba Kasali also confirmed that traditional rulers have been engaging in electoral sensitization to educate residents in their respective domains.
“We have been playing our roles as traditional rulers in talking to public office holders and politicians to discharge their responsibilities to the people and the community at large. Also, on the need to ensure peaceful co – existence”, Adeboruwa said.
“We have also been mobilizing our people to participate in the political process, especially in going for registration for the Permanent Voters’ Registration (PVC), because that is the only way to be involved.
“We are appealing to people to act within the Electoral laws which is guiding the electoral conducts”, he said.
While charging every resident of the state to be security conscious, Adeboruwa enjoined them to support the operations of the security agencies with information and intelligence.
The host royal father, Oba Olukayode Balogun, in his remarks, was full of appreciation for the Ijebu Obas for coming to Isiwu.
“I am so happy today to be hosting all the Ijebu Obas in Lagos. This is the first time that I will be hosting them and I am very happy that Isiwu is hosting them today”, he said.
The Eweye of Isiwu also said that his reign in the last one year, has been eventful.
“Our reign in the last one year has changed Isiwu and we plan to ensure that Isiwu is more developed and by extension, Ikorodu North LCDA and the division in general.
Oba Balogun, who said that the meeting of the ljebu Obas focused on developments in various communities and Lagos at large, also emphasised the need to mobilise residents to get their PVCs and participate in the electoral process.
Some of the other ljebu Obas at the meeting were HRM, Oba Folarin Ogunsanwo, Alara of Ilara Kingdom, HRM, Oba Akeem Adeoriyomi Oyebo, Obateru of Egbin Kingdom, HRM Oba Bashir Sotonwa, Sekumade of Ipakodo, Oba Bldr. Aderibigbe Asunmo, Alayandelu of Odo Ayandelu among others.
