The Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reforms (CODER) yesterday said that the endorsement of President Goodluck for a second term by selected Yoruba monarchs led by the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, was a ruse, stressing that the region has a contrary opinion.
The group urged Yoruba monarchs to avoid behaviours that may expose them to ridicule before their subjects during the electioneering. It said that the monarchs’ penchant for endorsing the President for a second term in utter insensitivity to the popular yearning for change by their subjects may spell doom for their reputation in their respective domains.
Its Coordinator, Mr. Ayo Opadokun, condemned the endorsement of the President by Oba Sijuwade and other rulers in his palace, saying that it is despicable
He said: “By their despicable conduct, they have cheapened the sacred institution, disgraced the otherwise revered traditional values and refrained from protecting the arts, artifacts and culture of Yorubaland.”
Opadokun lamented that Yoruba monarchs have refused to learn from the lessons of history, adding that they have regressed to the mistakes of the past.
He added: “We have been unfortunately returned to the inglorious past, which these traditional rulers have taken during the struggle for the return of democracy to Nigeria and the de-annulment of the pan-Nigerian victory of the late Chief Moshood Abiola. It will be recalled, regrettably, that it is still the Ooni of Ife, who went to Abuja to watch chrograghed and manipulated video clip of the involvement of Gen. Oladipo Diya in the coup attempt.
“The traditional ruler came back to tell the whole world that Abacha was speaking sense. This same unpleasant and unguided pronouncement of the so-called endorsement of President Jonathan has come to the fore afresh. Even, if he has decided to canvass for votes for President Jonathan against Gen. Buhari, who disciplined him and the late Emir of Kano for their undiplomatic visit to Israel without clearance from the Federal Military Government, he could attach the animosity and grouse to himself and few people.
“Having served Yorubaland in my adult life, I know that Ooni and his co-travelers are not speaking on behalf of Yoruba nation. Having known Yoruba for what they are, these traditional rulers cannot get votes for President Jonathan. They are after juicy contracts. It is an unpleasant consequence for traditional values when traditional rulers are agents and sponsors of contractors, which are often poorly done.”
Opadokun urged other monarchs to shun and disown the regression to the past, which Oba Sijuwade has exhibited. He advised them to emulate their northern counterparts, who have refused to endorse the President and advised him to take his message to the people.
He added: “Traditional rulers in the North have refused to be part of any of these partisan arrangements. They told President Jonathan to go ahead and convince their subjects to vote for him. They said they are not politicians. That is what is expected from decent traditional rulers.”
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