Oba of Benin, Crown Prince warn against using their names for campaign

Oba of Benin, Crown Prince warn against using their names for campaign

The Benin Monarch, Oba Erediauwa, has warned that he “has never mandated any
of his chiefs to speak or make any political statement(s) on his behalf, especially
as to the choice of a political leader for the 28 March presidential election.
Similarly, the Benin Crown Prince, Ambassador Eheneden Erediauwa, has
condemned self-serving politicians who are politically manipulating a personal
message he delivered from his father to President Goodluck Jonathan last year.
The monarch’s warning came on the heel of claims and counter-claims by some
high ranking chiefs in the Benin palace to the effect that the Oba has endorsed a
particular presidential candidate.
The Oba who spoke in Benin on Friday through the Iyase (traditional prime
minister) of Benin kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe and five other palace chiefs in a
statement, said what was more worrisome to the Palace was the political
campaign strategy which some electronic media in the state have been running
since the past few days to boost support for a particular political party.
“Surprisingly, the visit of His Royal Highness, the Edaiken N’ Uselu, to the
presidency, several months ago, which was meant to express/pledge the support/
loyalty of the Benin Monarch and his people for/to the President’s government, is
thus being unscrupulously used by over zealous politicians to whip up sentiments
and boost support of the people for their party in Edo South Senatorial District in
particular and Edo state in general.
“The Oba’s palace, as well as its chiefs, seriously consider this somewhat image-
tarnishing development vis-a-vis the Oba’s Palace and should outrightly be
discouraged by those politicians concerned. Media houses are enjoined to bear
this in mind,” the statement said.
It reminded the general public that the Omo N’Oba had always believed that all
citizens participating in political activities or were in one political party or the
other, were his subjects, including non-politicians, all whom he said he loves and
prays to the Almighty God and the ancestors to give the country and Edo state
politicians who will accord the traditional institutions nationwide its pride of place
in the constitution, including role for traditional rulers in the administrative
dispensation of the country.
The Benin Monarch also expressed hope that the nation would be blessed with
politicians who will respect the traditional institutions generally, empower and give
employment to the teeming unemployed citizens and improve the country’s and
Edo state’s economy to the extent that every citizen gets the proverbial three
square meals a day, adding that “once a politician has been elected by the
people, it is the responsibility of the traditional institutions to help him/her and
his/her government succeed.”
Also speaking on his visit to President Goodluck Jonathan last year through a
statement issued on his behalf by Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council,
Frank Irabor, the Crown Prince, said “the public should take note that the Crown
Prince being a seasoned diplomat, did not make the mistake of mentioning any
political party in the message. Rather, the message was personal to Mr.
President. The Crown Prince has totally frowned on the use of his visit as
directed by his father to Mr. President for political campaign for votes and all
those involved should please desist from it. HRH considers such as inappropriate.
“He is not a politician and does not belong to any political party just like his
father. He believes in equal opportunities for all those. Contesting for political
offices. The general public should please discountenance those that are using his
pictures, images, audio and video to campaign for votes,” the statement said.