Oba of Benin

‎Jethro Ibileke/Benin

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.