Count me out of politics –Oba of Benin

The Benin Traditional Council yesterday restated the non-partisan position of the Palace of the Oba of Benin. The council said it was unacceptable for the political inclination of any political group or persons to be ascribed to the Oba of Benin. A statement signed by the Secretary to the council, Mr. Frank Erhabor said it had come to the notice of the Benin Traditional Council and the Palace that the name, pictures imprimatur and effigy of Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolokoplo, Oba Erediauwa were used as signs of campaigns by political parties. 

 “In particular, the Benin Traditional Council wishes to reiterate that the Oba of Benin’s desires and prayers as father to all is for the individual or party to be expressly committed to the continued unity of the Edo people, infrastructural development of Edo State, creation of jobs for the people, reduction of poverty and above all, respect for traditional institution,” the statement said. Meanwhile, the Edo State governorship candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the July 14 election, Mr. Andrew Igwemoh has said his party was committed to improving the lives of Edo citizens with better governance and accountability in the utilization of public resources.

 He said a Labour Party government would do more for the people, adding: “Though Governor Adams Oshiomhole has done very well, we in the Labour Party think we can do better than he is doing as a party of market women, students and workers.” Igwemoh, who is a fellow of the Institute of the Chartered Accountnats of Nigeria (ICAN), was unanimously nominated yesterday at the party’s primaries in Benin City as the sole aspirant by the delegates at the primaries, which was supervised by the National Chairman of the party, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu.

 Speaking before the primaries, Nwanyanwu, who commiserated with Governor Adams Oshiomhole on the killing of his Principal Private Secretary, Mr. Olaitan Oyerinde said LP was not in alliance with the ANPP or any other party. He said he was certain that Edo people and especially members of the LP would vote for a progressive governor, especially now that it was obvious that there was a performing governor in the mould of Oshiomhole.

Read More...

Edo guber: Don’t campaign in my palace

The Oba of Benin, Oba Erediauwa yesterday received the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the July 14 governorship election in the state, Major General Charles Airhiavbere (retd) with a caution to the chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih not to campaign in his palace.

Orbih, who was at the palace of the Benin monarch to present the party’s candidate to him as well as seek his royal blessings as they kick off their campaigns ahead of the July 14 governorship election had told the Oba that the PDP dug deep to pick someone who, he said, ‘can provide services for the people’.

“We find him dependable. He has respect for our elders, tradition and a burning passion to serve. We are concerned about the high taxation and demolition of houses. This is not the dream of our state.”

At this stage, the Oba interjected and said, “I will not allow you to use my palace as a soap box.”

The governorship candidate, Airhiavbere, said Edo State needed rapid development and yearning for a change and requested for royal blessings from the Oba.

Responding, the Benin monarch said: “I started watching you on television. I will continue watching you on television.”

A top palace chief, Amos Osunbor, who prayed on behalf of the Benin monarch prayed that God should give the state a governor that would turn Benin City to a modern city and provide the necessary infrastructure for the people.

Later in an interview, Chief Dan Orbih said the party leadership and their governorship candidate did not go to the palace to seek the Oba’s endorsement, but to seek his blessings.

Read More...