Benin Monarch Meets Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu, Says Election Not Do-Or-Die

The Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II has called for peace among the politicians as Edo State prepares for governorship election on September 19.

The monarch spoke on Wednesday when he met leaders of major political parties in his palace.

Oba Ewuare II cautioned the members state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress, who he accused of hitting up the polity.

He warned that election was not a do-or-die affair, adding that politicians must note that they had only Edo State to call their own and thus must protect it from disintegration.

He said, “Edo has been in the news for the wrong reasons. I have been worried from the time the conflict started between Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the former governor and the incumbent governor, Godwin Obaseki.

“I want you to take your mind back to 2015. Before the final election result was announced, President Goodluck Jonathan picked up his telephone and called President Buhari. All the predictions, forecasts by the international community that Nigeria will break up and so on were quenched by that singular act.

“You are all political actors in Edo State. You have been together, now you are not together; you confuse the public, you are confusing everybody. Why are you doing this? Is it because of the office? It is not for four years and at most another four years; why will you now want lives to be lost? Why do we hear that you are arming thugs?”

The monarch got commitment to maintain peace from the leaders, including Obaseki, his deputy, Philip Shaibu, the candidate of the APC, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Oshiomhole, and the South-South Vice Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih.

The state Commissioner of Police, Johnson Kokumo, assured residents that security will be top-notch for governorship election.