By Sir Ralph Okhiria
Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, has warned political gladiators in Edo state to shield their swords and not turn the state to war a zone.
The Benin Monarch also urged them to stop the shootings experienced in the state for the past few weeks, saying that the state should not be made a laughing stock.
The Oba who made these statements during a peace meeting he held with top political leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) at his palace in Benin City, lamented that Edo State politics has been in the news of recent for the wrong reasons.
Apparently not happy with political happenings in the state, the revered Monarch further called on them to go back to 2015 general election whereby former President Goodluck Jonathan picked phone to congratulate the winner, President Muhammadu Buhari, thereby calming the tension that was on at that time.
According to the Benin Royal Father, “You are from the same state and from the same ancestors, so why should you be killing yourselves because of position you will just spend four years and leave”.
”What I thought and expected from you was tranquility and smooth ride and not the unprecedented conflict and shootings. We are not happy about your political fight; we cannot fold and arms and watch you fighting.
“You are from the same state and from the same ancestors, so why should you be killing yourselves because of position you will just spend four years and leave.
” I want you to go back to 2015 whereby former President Goodluck Jonathan, despite the tension, picked his phone and call President Muhammadu Buhari to congratulate him, thereby calming the pre-election tension that was already on,” he added.
His Royal Majesty who questioned the politicians on the alleged arming of thugs with guns in preparation for the election, wondered why such should happen, even as he stated that election is not a do or die affair.
While warning that such armed thugs will retain such guns given to them and later turn nuisance in the society after the election, Oba Ewuare II further warned that “enough is enough”.
“Don’t kill yourselves for the election. Everybody is afraid that the state would be set ablaze during and after the election. Please calm the tension. Don’t turn Edo to a laugh stock,” he posited.
Oba Ewuare who expressed worry over the violence rocking the APC and PDP campaigns, said the purpose of the meeting is to strongly appeal to politicians to call the youths and their supporters particularly those fueling crisis in the state ahead of the September 19 governorship election.
“I want to ask the political actors in Edo State, why are you all doing this? The office is four years, why do you want lives to be lost? Why are you arming thugs? At the end of the day the thugs keep those guns with them,”.
” Tell your boys to ceasefire, enough is enough. Life will be here after election. Even if you don’t win, God has something better for you,”.
He said it is better for the major political parties governorship candidates in the forthcoming election to engage in a political debate to reel out their manifestoes to the electorate rather than fighting each other.
The monarch advised the candidates irespective of who wins to have a kind of working relationship that Buhari has with former president Jonathan.
“Please don’t turn the state into the city of blood. I appeal to the two gladiators and all politicians to ensure peace and stop the shooting and violence in the state.”
Oba Ewuare who frowned at endorsement of political candidate by traditional rulers, said the Benin throne is non-partisan.
“Your home and families are here, so give peace a chance. We are all afraid that the state will burn to ashes. Please we need peaceful election in the state. I want to see that you are not paying lip service to the traditional throne; the Benin throne is not partisan.
“I am entitled to a vote; it’s my right as a citizen to vote, but I can’t vote for one candidate, because it is just like I have already taken sides by voting for one person; this is the sacrifice I have to make to ensure there is peace in Edo.
“Please communicate this meeting to your foot soldiers that they should stop the shooting and ensure the state is peaceful for all. I want both of you to work together for a peaceful election.”
In his remarks, Obaseki thanked the monarch for his fatherly role in ensuring that the state is peaceful before, during and after the election.
The governor said, “As the Executive Governor and Chief Security Officer of the state, I have sworn to uphold the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and protect the lives and property of our people.
“I will never encourage violence as it would be irresponsible of me to do anything which would lead to breakdown of law and order in the state.”
“I am not a violent person; I don’t have such tendencies. I have not participated in any form of violence and I will not. I have committed enough resources to ensure safety of the citizens,” he added
On his part, APC governorship candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, assured the monarch that he would address his followers to maintain peace before, during and after the election.
Also speaking, former national chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, expressed shock on how the whole political crisis in APC degenerated to the present state and promised to work for peace of the state.
For Adams Oshiomholehe, he said didn’t promote violence during his election and will not do it for others and assured the Monarch of peaceful election.
On his part, Chairman PDP Campaign Council, Chief Dan Orbih , commended the monarch for calling for the peace pact and expressed optimism that all issues raised by the palace of the Benin Monarch will be addressed as they have abided by his instructions.
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