•Traditional rulers warned not to dabble in politics
The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) in Ekiti State has cautioned traditional rulers on their push for zoning, stressing that merit is the best criterion for selecting the governorship flag bearers.
It said the monarch’s position on zoing to Ekiti South Senatorial District smacked of .
In a statement in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, CNPP Director of Publicity and Strategy Deacon Olu Akomolafe said: “All parties should be encouraged to follow their constitutions so that the best can emerge from each party so that Ekiti will choose the best of the best.”
The monarchs, who rose from a meeting with Governor Ayo Fayose at the weekend, vowed to “mobilise their subjects to vote against any political party that fields governorship candidate from outside Ekiti South.”
Akomolafe said, although the monarchs have the freedom to air their views, they should not throw stones.
He added: “Ekiti is homogeneous, unlike many other states in Nigeria. Ikere is the next town to Ado while going to Akure so the thin line between Central and South is the bounding between the two ancient towns.
“Any formula that will make an Ekiti man see one as his kinsmen as against the other should be rejected in its entirety. Whether the governor comes from Central, North or South, CNPP is of the opinion that it is sure that he will be an Ekiti person.
“Our condition is that he or she should must be capable of all ending the present sufferings of Ekiti people. He or she should be a type that will give us the good things of life like good roads, potable water, jobs for our youth, salary as and when due, among others.
“CNPP does not wish to imply that Ekiti South cannot produce the next governor. They can, but the selection muts be subjected to a standard that is general and not restricted to just one area of the entire state.”
Also, the Ekiti Oke Renaissance Group has urged the traditional rulers to be suspicious of politicians who may want to use them as cannon fodders ahead of the governorship election.
Its Board of Trustees Chairman, Dr. Olusegun Osinkolu, expressed disappointment with the action of the monarchs.
Osinkolu expressed shock that the monarchs could be manipulated by politicians to support their self-seeking agenda.
He condemned the attempt by Fayose to disrupt peaceful transition by recruiting royal fathers to cause disharmony among the electorate. Osinkolu maintained that it was wrong for the governor to tell the monarchs to reject aspirants outside the South District, adding that the action was “undemocratic and violates the fundamental human rights of voters.”
“The choice of who becomes the governor is the prerogative of the electorate. Mr Fayose should please excuse the palace from desecration,” Osinkolu concluded.
