Edo Political Crisis: Ghana Must Go Politics Must End Now – Oba Ewuare

By ABIODUN JIMOH

Worried at the spate of poverty across Edo State, Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N‘Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpoiokpolo, has voiced out that the ‘Ghana Must Go’ politics should be outrightly end in the state.

Oba Ewuare II, also urged that politicians should stop cashing in on the poor masses and exploiting them for their votes, just as the gubernatorial election is fast approaching in Edo.

The Monarch stated this in statement issued on Thursday by Frank Irabor, Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), thereby warning that for peace to reign in Edo State politics, godfatherism and idea of consensus candidate must be eradicated totally.

The statement read: “The attention of Benin Traditional Council has been drawn to some speculations making round in social media that the palace of Oba of Benin has prevailed on some aspirants to step down for a particular candidate in the upcoming primaries of a certain political party. The palace totally denounces this evil speculation and condemns those that originated it.

“The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N‘Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpoiokpolo has said times without number that the palace does not get involved in partisan politics. The three prayer points of the Oba of Benin in the democratic process have always been that God and our ancestors should give us a governor that will accord respect to traditional institutions; develop this state, and provide food on the table for the masses.

“The Oba of Benin has advised 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 in how politicians manage the affairs of Edo people, our Edo political actors must eradicate the twin evil political vices of godfatherism and consensus candidate.

“These two practices seem antithetical to the very fundamental basis of democracy. In other words this business of coercing aspirants to step down for another candidate for whatsoever reason is undemocratic. It will not augur well for the development of democratic process in Nigeria.

“Let everybody take note that the palace is very weary of the imposition of candidates whom only certain individuals want, but majority of 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.

“We believe all qualified aspirants for any elective positions should be giving a level playing field to contest for democracy to develop to the next level in Nigeria. Political actors should mature up and learn not to wash their dirty linen in public.

“As the various political parties go about the process of selecting their candidates through their respective party primaries, we urge all to exercise the highest standards of maturity and sportsmanship, as the desire to bring about the best for the people of Edo State cannot be compromised nor sacrificed on the altar of intolerance, rumour mongering and fake news.

“Rumour mongers are reminded that there is an ancestral curse on anyone who attempts to tarnish the image of the Oba of Benin and the ancient throne of Benin Kingdom, which will normally be for their selfish ends.”