Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, on Friday urged politicians in Osun State to caution their supporters against violence ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

Adams, who is also the National Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress, made the appeal in Osogbo during a reception organised by the OPC for its members and other participants at the grand finale of the annual Osun Osogbo Festival.

While he declined to apportion blame for the recent politically related killings in the state, Adams said further loss of lives should be avoided before, during and after the election.

He said, “I will appeal to our politicians. Power is transient; power is momentary. We should not, because we are looking for power, kill a soul.

“Anything we do today will be history tomorrow. I am appealing to them that this election should be a peaceful election. Anything that happens in this election will be a reference to the general election.

“I have heard a lot, but I don’t want to get involved in trading blame, and I don’t want to blame anybody. But I will appeal to them that the election should be peaceful.”

The Yoruba leader also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies to ensure fairness and provide a level playing field for all candidates.

He said the conduct of the Osun election would influence public perception of the commission’s preparedness for the 2027 general elections.

“We don’t need bloodshed in Yorubaland. We want a peaceful atmosphere for the election, and INEC should be neutral because anything INEC does in this election will shape people’s mindset towards the general election,” he added.

Adams also called on the Federal Government to increase its involvement in the Osun Osogbo Festival, describing cultural tourism as a tool for projecting Nigeria’s image globally.

He said the festival required more innovation and collaboration among stakeholders to improve its international appeal.

“The Federal Government should come in. Because what I saw over the past three years, I do not see a reflection of the Federal Government. It is only the host community with the participants that come from different locations and the state government,” Adams said.

He added that cultural tourism could help improve Nigeria’s global image.

“Through cultural tourism, Nigeria’s image can be in a better place compared to what is happening negatively that international media is projecting,” he said.

Adams urged the Federal Government, Osun State Government and the host community to introduce new ideas into the annual festival, which has been recognised by UNESCO.

“UNESCO has recognised it. I don’t know what the Federal Government is waiting for. Also, the state government and the community should do more. The content of the festival should be improved upon. We can’t continue to have the same content every year,” he said.

Meanwhile, The PUNCH reports that security was heightened around the ancient Osun-Osogbo Grove as the annual cultural festival commenced in Osogbo on Friday.

Armed police operatives were stationed along the road leading to the grove from the Olaiya-Ita-Olokan Road, with security personnel positioned at intervals to monitor movement into and out of the venue.

Military personnel were also deployed at the final entrance to the grove as adherents and participants moved into the venue.

Unlike the previous year, when the newly appointed votary maiden, Osunbunmi Moradeke, struggled to carry the calabash from the Osun shrine inside the Ataoja’s Palace to the grove, she successfully completed the task during this year’s celebration.

She was accompanied by Osun adherents, traditionalists and security personnel shortly before the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh, and other guests arrived at the grove.