By our Correspondent
Hon. QS. Ochiji Ahmed Tijani, the Action Peoples Movement (APM) candidate for the Okene/Ogori-Magongo Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives, has paid a royal homage to the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, His Royal Majesty, Alhaji Dr. Muhammed Ahmed Tijani Anaje, at his palace in Okene.
The candidate was accompanied by numerous supporters from across the Okene/Ogori-Magongo Federal Constituency. During the visit, Hon. Ochiji formally informed the revered traditional ruler of his ambition to represent the constituency in the House of Representatives and sought his royal blessings as the electioneering process gathered momentum.
Welcoming Hon. Ochiji and his entourage, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland reaffirmed the non-partisan stance of the traditional institution, emphasising that his palace remained open to all sons and daughters of Ebiraland, irrespective of clan, religion or political affiliation.
In his words, “As a father, I am not a politician, neither do I belong to any political party. This palace is open to every son and daughter of Ebiraland, irrespective of clan, religion, and political party.”
The royal father urged all candidates contesting in the forthcoming elections to conduct their campaigns peacefully and responsibly. He warned against inflammatory rhetoric, provocative songs and statements capable of creating tension or threatening the peaceful coexistence of the people.
He further advised Hon. Ochiji and his supporters to accept the outcome of the election in good faith, regardless of the result, reminding them that all contestants are sons and daughters of Ebiraland and that the unity of the community must remain paramount above political differences.
In his response, Hon. QS. Ochiji Ahmed Tijani expressed profound gratitude to the Ohinoyi for his fatherly counsel, prayers and royal blessings. He also commended the traditional ruler for his wisdom, impartiality and commitment to the unity and peaceful coexistence of the people of Ebiraland.
The royal visit provided an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of peaceful political participation, respect for traditional institutions and the preservation of unity among the people of Okene and Ogori-Magongo as the electioneering process gathers momentum.