2027: OGUN MONARCH URGES VOTERS TO REJECT CANDIDATES WHO IGNORE THEIR CALLS

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By: Muftau Fatimo

The Eselu of Iselu Kingdom in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, has urged traditional rulers and residents of the state not to vote for governorship candidates who fail to answer their calls or respond to their messages.

The monarch made the call in a statement issued on Sunday, warning that public office holders who deliberately create communication gaps between themselves and the people do not deserve their votes.

According to Akinyemi, poor communication between elected officials and citizens erodes public trust, fuels misinformation and hampers effective governance.

He identified seven major dangers associated with keeping the electorate incommunicado, including loss of trust, suspicion of corruption, weakened accountability, the spread of fake news, escalation of crises and the hijacking of public narratives by political opponents.

The monarch said responding to calls and messages should be regarded as a key responsibility of anyone seeking public office.

“Without mincing words, the habit of responding to calls and messages is a key responsibility of any public office holder; hence, any public office holder or party’s candidate who makes himself incommunicado does not deserve the votes of Ogun traditional rulers or the votes of the entire citizens of Ogun State,” he said.

Akinyemi noted that when public officials fail to communicate with citizens, it creates a sense of neglect and disconnection, which can undermine their legitimacy.

He added that silence from public office holders is often interpreted as secrecy or guilt, creating room for rumours and conspiracy theories.

The Eselu advised traditional rulers, chiefs, politicians, civil society organisations and voters across Ogun State to reject candidates seeking governorship or other elective positions who refuse to answer calls or respond to messages from the citizens they seek to lead.

He said voting against such politicians would serve as a lesson to other aspirants seeking elective positions in the state.