The Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has called on political parties, candidates and residents of Osun State to uphold peace and unity as campaigns gather momentum ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
The royal appeal came on Tuesday when the National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the party’s governorship candidate, Alhaji Najeem Salaam, alongside other party leaders, paid a courtesy visit to the Ooni’s Palace in Ile-Ife before flagging off the party’s governorship campaign in the ancient city.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Senior Media Officer at the Ooni’s Palace, Sodiq Lawal, on behalf of the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Otunba Moses Olafare.
According to the statement, the ADC delegation was received at the palace before proceeding to Enuwa, Ile-Ife, where the party officially commenced its statewide governorship campaign.
Representing the Ooni, the Lowa Adimula of Ifeland, Oba Adekola Adeyeye, reiterated the monarch’s commitment to fostering peaceful coexistence regardless of political differences, while describing Ile-Ife as the spiritual and historical cradle of the Yoruba race.
He also urged successive governments and political leaders to accord the ancient city the level of development befitting its historical, cultural and national significance.
“Ile-Ife remains the source and ancestral home of the Yoruba people. Politics in modern Nigeria also has deep historical roots in Ile-Ife. The late Ooni Adesoji Aderemi served as Governor of the old Western Region, and his remarkable contributions extended beyond Ile-Ife to the entire Yorubaland and Nigeria.”
The Lowa Adimula further lamented that the city had not received the level of development commensurate with its status since the era of the late Ooni Adesoji Aderemi.
“The Hausa people regard Sokoto as their source, and today Sokoto continues to enjoy significant development. The Igbo people hold Enugu in high esteem as one of their historic centres, and its growth is evident. We, as Yoruba, who acknowledge Ile-Ife as our source, must collectively ensure that this ancient city receives the attention and development it deserves.”
Appealing for peaceful conduct throughout the electioneering period, the Ooni’s representative urged political actors to shun violence and allow the democratic process to proceed without bloodshed.
“We appeal to all political parties, candidates and supporters to shun violence, avoid bloodshed and remain patient. Elections should not divide our people or cost anyone his or her life. Let the campaigns be peaceful, while the electorate freely exercise their democratic rights.”
The monarch, through the Lowa Adimula, also offered royal prayers for the ADC governorship candidate, Alhaji Najeem Salaam, while seeking peaceful, credible and violence-free elections across Osun State.
Earlier, Aregbesola explained that the ADC deliberately selected Ile-Ife as the starting point of its governorship campaign in recognition of the city’s unique place in Yoruba history and identity.
“Ile-Ife remains our source. It has been about eight years since we last came here for this purpose. We came with the candidate of our former political party, and although the people of Ife stood solidly with us, God did not permit that opportunity to be fully utilised.”
He added that beginning political campaigns in Ile-Ife had become a long-standing tradition for his political movement.
“Our tradition has always been to begin our political campaigns in Ile-Ife because we believe this is our source. Since 2004, we have consistently visited the palace to seek royal blessings before embarking on major political activities, and we are here today to continue that tradition.”
Among those in the ADC delegation were the party’s deputy governorship candidate, Mrs. Temitope Yemisi Agiri; Osun ADC Chairman, Alhaji Azeez Issa Adesiji; Osun East Senatorial Candidate, Babatunde Olaniyi Loye; Osun Central Senatorial Candidate, Senator Adelere Oriolowo, alongside other party leaders, traditional chiefs and supporters.
The courtesy visit to the Ooni’s Palace preceded the party’s campaign rally at Enuwa, marking the formal commencement of the ADC’s campaign activities ahead of the Osun State governorship election.
