THE ROLE OF TRADITIONAL RULERS IN ENSURING FREE, FAIR AND CREDIBLE ELECTIONS

By Desmond Agbama, CPS to Oba of Benin

With the elections few days away, it is imperative to remind every stakeholder about the concern of the Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, particularly His Royal Majesty, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin. The Oba’s words or pronouncement is sacrosanct and must be respected, and obeyed to the latter. Everyone should be reminded that anyone who flouts the order will normally receive the consequences of his or her actions. Those who have ears let them hear and heed the advice. We need enduring peace and harmony in Edo State, elections notwithstanding. We need free, fair and credible elections in Edo State. We need good governance, transparency and accountability from political office holders. However, to achieve these, stakeholders in the democratic process must play their role effectively and without bias. That is why the role of Traditional Rulers in ensuring a free, fair and credible election cannot be over emphasized.

Traditional Rulers by their nature are closer to the people at the grassroots, and because they are the custodian of the people’s culture and tradition, they are highly respected in the society.

Although, there is no specific role given to them in the Nigerian Constitution, however they have control and over bearing influence over their subjects. They preside daily over the affairs of their domains or kingdoms. One of such traditional ruler is His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin.

The true mark of a Royal Father is his concern for the welfare, and security of his people as well as peace and progress of the society. His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin is one traditional ruler that is very concerned about the security and welfare of his people as well as the outcome of the 2019 general elections in Nigeria.

As father of all, Oba of Benin does not want any blood shed before, during and after the election, and the Omo N’Oba believes that no position is worth the human soul.

That was why in 2018, the Omo N’Oba convened a meeting of all Edionwere, Enigie, Ohen and Chiefs where His Royal Majesty made them to understand that it has been revealed that some politicians were already procuring weapons and recruiting gullible youths as thug to be used before and during the elections.

Oba Ewuare II therefore directed them to perform some sacrifices and pray that God and the Ancestors should avert violence, bloodshed and mayhem from the land.

Being the Chairman of the Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, Oba Ewuare II N’Ogidigan also convened a meeting of traditional rulers and chiefs where they also expressed concern over the safety of the people and the outcome of the 2019 general elections.

This was followed by a meeting between the Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs and Chairmen and members of the various political parties, as well as the heads of the different security agencies in the state.

That meeting was used to admonish politicians not to regard elections as a do or die affair, and to play the game according to the rules. Besides, politicians were told to accept the outcome of the election whether as a looser or winner.

The politicians were told to desist from the use of weapon or thugs to disrupt the electoral process, as such action constitute security challenge in the society before, during and even after the elections. The electorates were advised not to sell their vote, or engage in acts against the electoral laws or the principles of democracy.

The Oba’s words or pronouncement is sacrosanct and must be respected, and obeyed to the latter. Everyone should be reminded that anyone who flouts the order will normally receive the consequences of his or her actions. Those who have ears let them hear and heed the advice.

We need enduring peace and harmony in Edo State, elections notwithstanding. We need free, fair and credible elections in Edo State. We need good governance, transparency and accountability from political office holders.

However, to achieve these, stakeholders in the democratic process must play their role effectively and without bias. That is why the role of Traditional Rulers in ensuring a free, fair and credible election cannot be over emphasized.

Furthermore, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which is the electoral umpire must display high level of professionalism, fairness, credibility and efficiency in order to prove that it is truly independent.

The various security agencies should also maintain high level of neutrality and should not harass or intimidate voters, but provide adequate security for electoral officers, voters, and election materials.

If this is done there would be no apprehension in any quarter and it will help eliminate voter apathy as the electorates would be willing and ready to come out en mass to vote for the candidate of their choice.

In a democracy, election is the process of choosing a leader who will represent the people at the executive and legislative arms of government. Therefore, such an election must be very free, fair and credible for a good leader to emerge.

Consequently, the overall success of the 2019 general elections is the collective responsibility of the politicians, the electorate, INEC and the security agencies. Let no one do anything that would jeopardize the nation’s democratic process.

So, on election day, everyone should conduct him or herself in a manner that would promote peace, and harmony in the society. No hate speeches, no display of hostilities. Anyone who acts contrary will have an axe to grind with the laws of the land. Be wise, act wisely and vote wisely.

Desmond Agbama is Chief Press Secretary to the Oba of Benin.