….advises Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu ‘don’t kill yourselves over an office’
Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, on Wednesday, expressed agony over the current political scenario in Edo State, saying he’s been having sleepless nights over the growing violence in the state as the September 19 governorship election draws near.
The monarch, who bared his mind at a peace meeting he initiated for critical stakeholders in Benin, the state capital, described the upcoming poll as the worst scenario in Edo politics.
He specifically told the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Godwin Obaseki, who is also the incumbent governor of the state and Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress to caution their supporters to eschew violence and maintain peace.
The Oba of Benin said, “The warning is especially for the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“We are doing our bit internally; traditional prayers are being offered so that there will be peace during the election.
“I want to appeal to politicians to control the youths. I want the politicians to assure us that there will be peace. You do not kill yourselves over an office.
“This is the worst scenario of all the politics that we have seen in Edo. Edo politics have been in the news for quite some time now for all the wrong reasons.
“I have had sleepless nights over this. My mind is burning up over this violence and shooting all over the state. Let the shooting stop and let there be peace and quiet in the state.”
The monarch warned that the election should not be a do-or-die affair, urging the political leaders in the state to give peace a chance.
He said, “Don’t kill yourselves over an office. Don’t kill yourselves over votes. Let us have the working relationship that President Muhammadu Buhari had with Goodluck Jonathan; It is not a do or die affair.
“The two candidates must tow the line of peace just like Jonathan did when he willingly announced his acceptance of defeat in 2015.
“This singular act changed the prediction of international community that Nigeria will break up as a result of that election.
“We are begging you politicians, particularly the two political gladiators. You must all do your bit to calm down the tension in the state.”
Also at the meeting were two former national chairmen of the APC and ex-governors of the state, Adams Oshiomhole and John Odigie-Oyegun.
Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, had on Sunday raised the alarm about politicians arming and deploying thugs in preparation for the upcoming election in the state, warning of a high possibility of violence and possible cross-attack by political opponents during the polls.
The Edo governorship election holds in about two weeks’ time, but there has been heightened tension in the state as the political players, especially in the APC and PDP have continued to engage themselves in verbal attacks.
The state House of Assembly has also been embroiled in crisis of late with different political camps trying to outdo one another.
Obaseki, who is seeking re-election, will face amongst other opponents, Ize-Iyamu, who has the backing of President Muhammadu Buhari as well as the support of APC stalwart, Bola Tinubu; and former APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.
The governor, who was elected on the platform of the All progressives Congress in 2016, had dumped the party for the PDP following his disqualification from the APC primary election in June.
Obaseki has since been at loggerheads with his predecessor, Oshiomhole.
