#OsunDecides : Ooni denies endorsing any candidate, charges EU election observers on objectivity

OONI of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, on Thursday urged the European Union Election observers that came to observe the Osun governorship election not to be bias in their reports as Election Observer.

The foremost African monarch also cleared the air on insinuation that he has endorsed 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 reposes in him”.

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

Speaking further, the custodian of culture, Ooni Ojaja said ” 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 centre piece 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 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 losers.

The African foremost monarch also admonished traditional rulers in the state to remain unbias as father for all

“Traditional Rulers don’t play politics but we are fathers to all political actors irrespective of where they hail from. Corruption cannot be fought in isolation, for it to be effectively tackle, all hands must be on decks”, he said.

He, however urged European Union to work directly with the government at the centre on how to help repartriate our stolen wealth.

While speaking, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Katil Karlsen said, “I’m highly impressed with the rich culture of traditional display by all here. We are all descendants of Africa and we know we migrated from Ile-Ife.

“Your highness, we are here to pay you a visit to observe tomorrow’s election, what we want is just free, fair and credible election that will make the state a shinning example.

“We appreciate the role you played by sound peace warning to all aspirants because peace is the most cherished commodity we cannot overlook”.

The Envoy noted that Osun State Election is germane to the general elections coming up in 2019.

On the entourage of the European Union Ambassador are: Tarel Charlie, Acting Italian Ambassador to Nigeria; Ida Hockerfelt of Sweden; Otto Stenosis of Finland Embassy; Jacob Jacob Silen of Denmark Embassy.

Earlier, Mr. Larry Ekundayo, an International boxer appreciates Ooni for the honoured bestowed on him in 2017 in London.

He said, in 2017 in London, “I was privilege to meet with my father in London and he asked me what I want and I told him that I want to be world champion. Ooni prayed for me, won my International boxing federation bout and today, I’m number fifteen in boxing hierarchy in the world”.