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Friday, 23 September 2016

Royal rumble as Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu seek support of Benin royal fathers


The last Wednesday announcement by the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), shifting the expected coronation of the new Oba of Benin, His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Ehenede Erediauwa, Edaiken N’Uselu, from 26th September 2016 to October 20th 2016, has cleared the stage for political actors in Edo state to deliver their governorship candidates come September 28th. 



Ize-Iyamu and Obasek Prior to last Wednesday, the was still confusion about whether the coronation would still go ahead in the midst of the election. However, Chairman of the Coronation Planning Committee, HRH, Prof. Gregory Akenzua, who addressed journalists at the palace ground, Benin City, doused the tension, saying the earlier date for the coronation, Monday, 26th September, 2016, was changed due to the announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the date for the governorship election in Edo state which was originally scheduled for Saturday, September, 10, 2016, was now moved to Wednesday 28th September, 2016. But prior to the announcement, there appeared to be tension in the circle of traditional rulers. The tension heightened after it was reported that the Eghaevbo-N’ore, a powerful group in the palace made up of the top Benin Chiefs including the Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe and the Esogban of Benin, Chief David Edebiri have endorsed the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu. This was after two chiefs, the Eson of Benin Kingdom, Chief Amos Osunbor and Odobaiwu of Benin, who are members of the Eghaevbo-N’ore and also leaders of the PDP endorsed their candidate Ize-Iyamu. However reports that Eghaevbo-N’ore did the endorsement angered most Benin Chiefs and that elicited reactions. Saturday Vanguard learnt that this group is too powerful in the palace and may risk rubbishing what it represents if it decides to back any particular candidate. Therefore, like the Oba of Benin, they remain neutral in politics. Reacting swiftly to the purported endorsement, the Obazelu of Benin Kingdom, Chief Osaro Idah who also is the state secretary of the APC in the state, argued that the chiefs who purportedly endorsed Ize-Iyamu did so in their own capacity as PDP members and not members of the Eghaevbo-N’ore. According to him, ”Chief Amos Osunbor and the Odobaiwu of Benin, are both PDP leaders in the state and not spokesmen for the council of chiefs in Benin. If they cannot identify themselves as PDP members I think that is unfortunate. I am an APC card carrying member and proud to identify with my party. Again, the so called adoption of Ize-Iyamu by the Eghaevbo-ore palace Chiefs is for me a declaration of a body of friends. The Eghaevbo-Ore palace groups is one of the many arms of the palace. This group is headed by the Iyase of Benin followed by the Esogban of Benin and for anyone to make pronouncement on behalf of this group without the Iyase or Esogban could be reckless. Rightly they should have addressed themselves as friends of Esama of Benin in his residence which they have right to do. There are many APC members even within their ranks who they cannot drag into their membership coven in the PDP. It is nefarious for anyone to make claims on behalf of any society in the palace when there was no prior discussion or agreement within the rank of chiefs. We know those chiefs who are subjects of the Esama and the man in his generous nature looks after their personal welfare. So one will not quarrel with them if they do his bidding. But any attempt to drag the palace into politics is taking the joke too far. The public should please note that this group are Esama’s personal friends. At no time did palace chiefs meet to discuss which party or candidate to adopt because the palace of his Majesty frowns at partisanship. Even the so called Igieohen, they claim was with them are unknown to me. I am in a better position to know who the Igiehons in Benin are because I am the Obazelu of Benin Kingdom, with that rank I am an inner palace chief that deals with the Igiehens. So they are not in good position to know who the Igiehons are even as chiefs”. Following the war within the Benin Chiefs, the top hierarchy of the Eghaevbo summoned an emergency meeting last Wednesday where the Esogban of Benin, Chief Edebiri who presided in the absence of the Iyase, declared shortly after the meeting that the group never endorsed Ize-Iyamu. Interestingly, Chief Osunbor and the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion were equally at the meeting. According to Esogban, “from all the evidence we have from everybody who was at the Sundays meeting, which we hold once a month on rotational basis, it was obvious that the Eghaevbo-N’ore group did not take any decision to adopt and endorse the candidature of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu as candidate of PDP. What we do in our group is that anybody who is contesting is free to come to our group and ask for our prayers and we freely offer the prayers. The first candidate to come was that of the APC, Godwin Obaseki. The day he came we held a meeting at the residence of the Eson of Benin. He came with his retinue of supporters. What we pray is that the best candidate among all of them, somebody who will do better than Oshiomhole should emerge. That was why when we saw the headline yesterday, people started calling from everywhere to find out when Eghaevbo-N’ore started endorsing candidates. The decision that this house came to now, is that that report was untrue and I was mandated to refute it, that we did not endorse Ize-Iyamu. Our people said when Pastor came, they prayed for him in the usual manner like other candidates and that was not an endorsement”. However, while this was resolved, the candidature of Mr Godwin Obaseki received a serious boost after chief priests in the seven Local Government Areas in Edo South endorsed him. The chief priests under the Association of Igie-Ohen in Benin Kingdom who described Obaseki and his running-mate, Hon. Philip Shaibu, as perfect replacements for the incumbent Governor, described the APC candidates as square pegs in square holes. Secretary of the Igie-Ohen, High Priest Osarumwense Amayo, in an address delivered during a meeting to endorse Obaseki said “on the calibre of your party’s governorship candidate and his running-mate, they are seen to be square pegs in square holes. To us members of Igie-Ohen we have absolute confidence that they can equally achieve greatness to the level you have embedded in the state or even surpass the achievements that have been laid down by you if they eventually become the governor and deputy after the election. Your Excellency sir, we have a common adage in Benin which says if a child achieves greatness above his or her parents, it is not a curse or better still not a taboo. We as a body are totally convinced that these children of yours are well nurtured by your articulate and a good sense of leadership, selfless service, sincerity, honesty and purpose of adherence to the rule of law. Sir, though we are not politicians, we are totally overwhelmed with the rate of development visible throughout the entire state. In addition, allowing the people to lead is to your credit, being the advocate. The slogan is now a household song in the entire country, Nigeria. Your Excellency sir, we pray Almighty Allah to guide, protect you and your entire family and by extension lead you to all future endeavours.On the forthcoming governorship election, he said, “as for the election coming in a few days time, we want to assure you that all will be well in the entire state.” Responding, Governor Adams Oshimhole thanked members of Association for their continued support for his government. “I am very grateful to you, Chairman of the Igie-Ohen Association. I want to thank you for your support for my person, for my family and for the government and for your prayers over the eight years. Every year you have come to offer prayers and it is obvious that God has answered your prayers otherwise I will not be here. You have been consistent in your prayers for good governance, for the development of this kingdom and for my good health and wellbeing. I also want to thank you for endorsing our candidate, Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki and you said it all. What I believe I owe Edo people is to ensure that having supported me in the fight to reposition our state and rescue it from those who were sucking it dry and with your prayers all their evil machinations have not succeeded. May the Almighty God and our ancestors accept your prayers for me, for the government and our candidate and may your declaration of support translate to victory on September 28; it’s just a few days away and I know that when you pronounce like that, the gods and the ancestors will ensure that it comes to pass. This one again by the special grace of God will again come to pass and Godwin knows he has to perform above my level so that our dream for a greater Edo will be realized. Thank you very much” 
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