The Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba Nedo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare II, has reacted to the rift between the suspended national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the governor of Edo state.
In a statement on Thursday signed by Frank Irabor, Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council, the monarch said the political developments happening in the state calls for serious concern.
The Oba of Benin also frowned against godfatherism and the imposition of candidates in some political parties. He, however, said the palace of the Oba of Benin will not get involved in partisan politics and warned against dragging the royal father into politics.
The monarch also denied reports that he prevailed on any of the aspirants in the upcoming elections to step down for another.
He said his prayer had always been that “God and our ancestors should give us a governor that will accord respect to traditional institution, develop this state and, provide food on the table for the masses.”
The statement read: “HRM has said times without number that the palace of the Oba of Benin does not get involved in partisan politics.
“The Omo N’Oba strongly advises that in order to eschew recurrent socio-political conflict that seems to constantly ravish the state, making Edo people a laughing stock to the rest of the country on how politicians manage the affairs of Edo people, our Edo political actors must eradicate the twin evil of political vices of godfatherism and consensus candidacy. The two practices seem antithetical to the very fundamental basis of democracy.”
“Let everybody take note that the palace is very weary of imposition of candidates, when only certain individuals want, but the majority of the people do not want. ‘Ghana must go’ politics should end in the state. Politicians should stop cashing in on the poor masses and exploiting them for their votes,” it added.
