The Owa Obokun of Ijesa land, Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup has said Nigerians are aware that to sustain democracy, there is need to let the people’s votes count.

Oba Haastrup also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to work according to their conscience to ensure there is free, fair and credible elections.

The monarch stated this during an advocacy visit by the Osun INEC team to his palace in Ilesa as part of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, exercise.

Oba Haastrup while kicking against election rigging and violence also appealed to Ijesa sons and daughters to utilise the CVR exercise and register in order not to be short changed.

He said, “I believe we have learnt our lessons by sustaining democracy is by letting the vote count.

“INEC should work according to their conscience to ensure we have a free and fair and credible elections. If people vote and know their votes are counted, there will be no violence.

“For election to be successful, there is a need for registration, which is critical. If you register now, you can decide on who will represent you.”

The traditional ruler revealed that he will set up a committee to monitor the activities of the CVR process and promised to cooperate with INEC for a smooth CVR exercise.

“Your task is a very difficult one. I believe INEC has good intentions but I want to appeal to politicians to make the work easy by giving their cooperation,” he stated.

Earlier the Osun INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Mutiu Agboke said the purpose of visit is to engage the palace with respect to the role of traditional institution on election activities.

Agboke maintained that traditional rulers were strong pillars to collaborate with to deliver on the INEC mandate.

While hinting that INEC has mobilised and the CVR was ongoing, the Osun INEC boss urged the traditional institution to assist the Commission helping to disseminate the message about the exercise.

He said, “INEC felt the traditional institution should come to INEC assistance by helping to sorted the message because this makes grater impact on the people.

“INEC also need help of traditional rulers to talk to the youth not to be instruments of thuggery and violence to be used for election violence.

“Over 300,000 registrants have put in their names in Osun during this current CVR exercise.

“Out people must know what INEC is doing and the traditional rulers to help us.”

He charged the youths not to subject themselves as instruments of election violence, adding that INEC is ready.

CVR: Owa Obokun Ijesha urges INEC to ensure votes truly count