As the governorship election in Ekiti State draws closer, it is disheartening to witness the rising tide of violence and intimidation meted out against innocent citizens simply because of their political affiliation or the camp they belong to. Ekiti is a land of honour and integrity; violence should not be in our democratic journey.
This is a wake-up call to all political leaders across every party, loyalists, and supporters: let us shun violence and embrace peace. Politics should never be a do-or-die affair. It is about ideas, vision, and service—not bloodshed. More importantly, our youths must resist being used as political thugs. The future belongs to them, and it must not be mortgaged on the altar of short-term political gains.
It is also important to stress that social media must never be a tool for intimidation, character assassination, or personality attacks. Constructive political discourse should replace insults and threats. The digital space should be a platform for engagement, enlightenment, and the promotion of peace—not hostility.
Only recently, the National Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Suleiman Argungu, while speaking at the party’s national secretariat, emphasized that anybody can contest in the APC presidential primaries, even against the incumbent President, come 2027. If such democratic openness is allowed at the national level, why then should anyone in Ekiti State face harassment, intimidation, or violent attacks for supporting another aspirant within the state?
The dark history of Ondo State in 1983 remains a bitter reminder of what political violence can cause—loss of lives, destruction of property, and a scarred democracy. We cannot afford to let Ekiti walk that dangerous path.
Let it be clear: power is not gained through thuggery or bloodshed. Power belongs to God, and He gives it to whom He pleases. All leaders, stakeholders, and aspirants who are encouraging violence, directly or indirectly, must desist immediately. It is no longer acceptable for stakeholders and aspirants to remain mute as if they were unaware of these happenings. Silence in the face of violence is complicity.
Furthermore, aspirants must call their loyalists together, preach peace to them, and stop urging them to defend their ambitions violently. The coming election should be about who has the best vision for Ekiti, not who has the most aggressive supporters.
For the peace, progress, and posterity, all parties, aspirants, and their supporters must conduct themselves with maturity and restraint. The coming election must not be about who can deploy the most thugs, but who can present the best ideas and earn the people’s trust.
Ekiti deserves peace. Ekiti deserves progress. And peace is the only foundation upon which true democracy can thrive.
E-Signed:
Hon. Oloruntoba Samuel Abiodun (OSAF).
Founder, Oloruntoba Samuel Abiodun Foundation (OSAF).
Igogo-Ekiti, ERO LCDA, Moba LGA, Ekiti State.
