Oba Of Benin Warns PDP Against Controlling Obaseki

The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against controlling Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo State.

Issuing this warning while receiving 5 governors elected on the platform of PDP, the Oba admonished the governors and the party as a whole to shun godfatherism.  

AllNews had on Tuesday reported that some governors elected on the platform of PDP paid a 'thank you' visit to the Oba following the party's victory at the September 19 governorship election.

The governors who visited the king are Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Aminu Tanbuwal (Sokoto), and Seyi Makinde (Oyo).

READ ALSO: Edo Election: Buhari Said He Was Reluctant to Congratulate Me - Obaseki

“I appeal to the governor to let bygone be bygone, all are gone now and I have told him that he should stretch out the olive branch for all sides to work with him. All hands should be on deck to work for Edo state and Edo people everywhere they may be,” the monarch said.

“I said the whole world is watching Edo state and I said, don’t worry it is not what they think will happen that will happen. Come the election, there will be peace and I begged my ancestors and that if it is only that we can achieve, I will thank our God.

“I want to on this occasion plead with the PDP to guard against godfatherism and not to allow unscrupulous members kill your party. I will tell the PDP governors not become hidden godfathers that will be controlling Governor Obaseki,” the Oba said.

Responding to the Oba's call Obaseki, who thanked the Oba for his contribution to ensuring a peaceful election in the state, vowed to continue serving the people.

“You are our Oba and it behooves on all of use to preserve the traditional institution. You have kindly received us today; I want to assure you that as the governor of Edo State, I have heard your admonitions and I want to promise that I will rededicate myself in my next tenure to the full service of the state and the people of the state,” he said.

Also speaking during the visit, Wike who assured the Oba that the party acknowledges and respects traditional rulers said, “As it is our tradition in PDP, we will always respect the traditional institution and whatever promise we have made, we will always fulfill that promise.

“You made a promise to us that as a traditional ruler, you are apolitical and so, that you will not canvass for votes for anybody but what you preach is that there should be peace, there should be free and fair election.

“Your Royal Majesty, we have seen with our eyes that there was a free and fair and peaceful election. We are calling on everyone to team up with your son for the development of Edo State,” he said.