By David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi 

The Atayero of Aramoko Kingdom in Ekiti State, His Royal Highness Olusegun Aderemi, has described the ongoing governorship election in the state as peaceful, noting that no security breach or electoral disturbance had been recorded in his domain.

Speaking with journalists on Saturday, the monarch expressed satisfaction with the conduct of voters and other stakeholders, saying the exercise had so far been calm and orderly.

According to him, Aramoko-Ekiti and its surrounding communities have witnessed a peaceful electoral process, with residents freely exercising their democratic rights.

“The election has been calm in my domain. There has been no problem at all, and we pray that the peace continues throughout the exercise,” he said.

The traditional ruler observed that one of the major challenges confronting Ekiti State is the lack of sustained development, which he attributed partly to the absence of policy continuity from one administration to another.

He noted that successive governments often abandon projects and programmes initiated by their predecessors, thereby slowing the pace of development in the state.

“Ekiti lacks the level of development many of us desire, and one of the reasons may be that the state has not been able to enjoy continuity. We are praying that this challenge will be addressed this time around,” he stated.

While acknowledging that all the governorship candidates are qualified sons of the state with the capacity to contribute to its growth, the monarch stressed the importance of allowing the current administration to continue its programmes and policies for the benefit of the people.

“All the candidates are bonafide members of Ekiti State, but it is important that we elongate the current administration to allow for the consolidation of its policies and programmes,” he added.

On the issue of security, the royal father expressed optimism that traditional institutions would continue to play a significant role in maintaining peace and order across the region.
He explained that traditional rulers possess indigenous mechanisms for conflict resolution and community policing, which could complement the efforts of conventional security agencies.

“Our tradition permits issues to be treated in our own way, and such measures will be deployed in due course where necessary. The security situation will no doubt be nipped in the bud now that Obas across Yorubaland have joined hands to activate what our progenitors left behind for the protection of our communities,” the monarch said.

The royal father appealed to political actors and supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding throughout the electoral process, emphasizing that the overall interest of Ekiti State should take precedence over partisan considerations.