The Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti, Oba Ajibade Alabi, has vowed not to allow the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disenfranchise him and his wife in the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti.
He said he was worried about the alleged antics of the electoral body since he wrote requesting that his voter card and that of his wife be transferred to his unit in Ilawe-Ekiti, from Abuja, where he originally registered.
Besides, he said the achievements of the governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, were “unprecedented, unparalleled and highly commendable,” for which, he added, he would not be equivocal in his support for his second term bid.
The monarch used the opportunity of the visit of the wife of the governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, to his domain at the weekend to bare his mind.
The governor’s wife was in Ilawe-Ekiti for the site inspection and earth-breaking of a neighbourhood market under construction in the town.
Months after he wrote to INEC seeking the transfer of his voter card and that of his wife to Ilawe-Ekiti, he claimed that the electoral umpire had not been forthcoming.
He said: “Ekiti will not tolerate any attempt to disenfranchise anybody. I have absolute right, my vote is very important to me. I’m very passionate about it.
“I have written to INEC to transfer our cards to Ilawe-Ekiti, but they have not done anything on it yet. I can go to any length to defend my vote; so nobody can disenfranchise me.
“I will ensure that my name and that of my spouse are transferred to Ilawe-Ekiti, anything short of that will be a re-enactment of what I call abracadabra.”
As a traditional ruler, he said he could not campaign for the governor, noting, however, that it would not stop him from acknowledging the giant strides of the Fayemi-led administration.
He urged the people of the state to take advantage of the forthcoming voter registration to ensure that they registered and be eligible to vote during the June 21 governorship election.
