The Benin royal father, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, has disclosed that the Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo Is a man after his heart.
The revered monarch stated this on Thursday when he played host to the Vice President at Oba Palace, Benin City, Edo State.
Welcoming the number two citizen of Nigeria to his palace, the Oba said he has always been an admirer of the Vice President’s eloquence and commended him for his respect for culture and tradition.
He said Osinbajo is eminently qualified to to succeed his boss, President Muhammadu Buhari, in 2023, saying that his gentleness, spirituality and vast academic knowledge is second to none.
Oba Ewuare II, however took a swipe at the political class who he accused of always abandoning the electorate after elections.
According to him, “Like the businessman will say customers are kings, in election, the electorate are supposed to be kings but that is not what we have in Nigeria.
“We have leaders who get to office and enrich themselves and forget the electorate whereas without the electorate, nobody can occupy any political office, especially elected office.
“Some of these politicians use all kinds of tactics to get the votes of the electorate and at the end of the day, they abandon the electorate.
“I want to appeal to the politicians to make this country great because Nigeria is blessed with great human and natural resources but Nigeria is still in a bad state.
“We want to be able to stay in Nigeria and enjoy the good things of life not in Dubai or in the US, now we are even running to Ghana, we should change all these, Nigeria should be a destination point”
The Benin royal father, however commended President Muhamadu Buhari for the role he is playing to ensure that stolen artefacts were returned to their original owners.
Earlier, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo thanked the Oba for recieving him and members of his entourage despite a very short notice.
He told the Oba the he was in his palace to inform him of his intention to contest the forthcoming presidential election, under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari has exposed him enough to critical decisions and programmes about Nigeria which he said has equipped him with the capacity to lead Nigeria.
“I am here today on a political visit but for obvious reasons I ensured that I must start from the palace. I am here to consult with party members who are delegates in our forthcoming delegates’ convention.
“On April 11th, I formally declared to vie for the presidency of this country. I have been exposed to many things in government. I commend the president who has been generous to ensure that I participate in every policy decision making of the government.
“I have the exposure at the highest level in government and the capacity to govern the country. I started teaching at the age of 24 and I have served in several capacities and I assure you that I will do the very best I can for the country”, Prof. Osinbajo added.
The Vice President later had a closed door meeting with APC leadership and delegates.
The Vice President was accompanied on the visit by top leaders of the APC including former governor of Edo State, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, former deputy governor of Edo State, RT. Hon. Pius Odubu, amongst others.
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