…..as Ondo Peace Committee engages Monarch, CAN leadership.
As the November 16 gubernatorial election draws near in Ondo State, the Deji of Akure, Oba (Dr.) Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi CFR, Wednesday 14th August, 2024, received members of the KDI partnered State Peace Mediation Working Committee at his palace, to drum the message of a peaceful polls.
The monarch who is also the Chairman of the Ondo State Council of Obas, described the setting up of the committee as timely and a bold step towards ensuring that peace reigns supreme before, during and after the exercise.
The Royal father who was holding a special meeting with his Deji-in-Council members when the committee members visited him, enjoined citizens to eschew violence and embrace peaceful participation in the electoral process.
The committee, comprises of Snr. High Chief Sola Adegbonmire (Asae of Akure Kingdom) as the Committee Chairman; Sheikh (Dr.) Abdulhakeem Yayi-Akorede (Grand Imam of Akureland), Very Rev’d Fr. Anselm Ologunwa (State Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria – CAN); Prince Leke Adegbite (State Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists – NUJ); Barr. Banjo Ayenakin (Nigerian Bar Association – NBA, Akure Branch); Princess Adenike Aroloye (Iyaloja General of Ondo State); Alhaja Medinat Omikunle (State FOMWAN President); Jonathan Obatola (Lead Monitor, Kimpact Development Initiative) and Mrs. Folashade Bamigboye (Committee Secretary).
The committee is aimed at supporting the efforts of all stakeholders to maintain peace in Ondo State before during and after the gubernatorial election.
Delivering the committee’s message, Snr. High Chief Adegbonmire commended the Deji of Akure for his consistent advocacy for peace.
The Committee Chairman emphasized that the Peace Committee will work to support the monarch’s efforts to ensure that Ondo State in general remains peaceful before, during and after the Governorship election.
Also speaking, Sheikh Abdulhakeem Yayi-Akorede appreciated the monarch’s role in ensuring peace in Akure Kingdom and Ondo State during the recent nationwide protests that led to looting and destruction in some states of the federation.
In his remarks, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, who commended the committee for the noble assignment, expressed confidence in the personalities and character of members of the Committee, urging Ondo State citizens to eschew any activity that could trigger violence throughout the election cycle.
Earlier, the Executive Director of Kimpact Development Initiative, (KDI), Mr. Bukola Idowu while paying homage to the monarch, explained that the committee had outlined various peace building initiatives to mitigate election related violence in the state.
He said the committee would work with the National Peace Committee led by General Abdulsalami Abubakar and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah.
The following day, thursday, the Committee also took its peace message and engagement to the state and local government Leadership of the Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Ondo State.
