Osun election: Ooni speaks on ‘endorsing’ candidate

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11, has denied endorsing a candidate for the ongoing Osun election.

The Ooni has also urged the European Union Election observers that came to observe the Osun Governorship election not to be biased in their reports as Election Observers.

Ogunwusi gave the charge during the visit of European Union Election Observers led by European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Katil Karlsen, on Thursday, in Ile-Ife,.

He also dismissed claims of endorsing a particular candidate. “I am a father to everybody. I have prayed for all the candidates and we are hoping that whoever emerges would not betray the confidence reposed in him.

” I want to specifically thank the European Union Team for deeming it fit to come to Osun State to observe the Governorship election. “Your input, support, time to deepen our democracy is highly appreciated because you are committed to good governance which is the essence of a sane society.

“If you can reminiscence, you will know that the democracy you are enjoying in your different countries today was not smooth when it started, because you also had challenges but today, you’ve overcome. 

Therefore, whatever lapses found inherent in our nascent democracy will soon be a thing of the past.

“Nigeria must get it right because we are the centrepiece of Africa and once we get it right; surely, the entire Africa countries will get it right as well.

“One of every four black men you see is a Nigerian. God wonderfully blessed us because we are the most populous black nation on planet earth.

“As European Union Observers, please write what you see, don’t favour any candidate, surely, a winner must emerge and there must be a loser.
I urge the candidates to be magnanimous in victory and be a gallant loser.”