The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has asked the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike and other the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors not to control Godwin Obaseki of Edo State.
He warned the PDP about godfatherism, which the party campaigned against before the September 19 Edo State governorship election.
The monarch stated this on Tuesday, when five PDP governors, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto, Seyi Makinde of Oyo and Godwin Obaseki of Edo paid him a courtesy call.
Oba Ewuare told them not to control Obaseki, despite playing a big role in helping him win re-election.
He said, “I want to on this occasion plead with the PDP to guide against godfatherism and not to allow unscrupulous members to kill your party.
“I will tell the PDP governors not to become hidden godfathers that will be controlling Governor Obaseki.
“All hands should be on deck to work for Edo State and Edo people everywhere they may be. This is where everybody will be proud to belong to. I said the whole world is watching Edo State and I thank God and our ancestors that the election came without any violence.”
“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.
Obaseki, who thanked the traditional ruler for his role in ensuring a peaceful election, promised to rededicate himself to 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.
Wike also thanked the king for his role in the election, saying the PDP has respect for the traditional institution.
“As it is our tradition in PDP, we will always respect the traditional institution and whatever promise we have made, we will always fulfil that promise,” he said.
“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.”
The monarch had summoned Obaseki and Osagie Ize-Iyamu, candidate of the PDP in the election, on September 2, appealing to them to caution their supporters to avoid violence.
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