The Oba of Benin, His Majesty Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Ewuare II, has urged opposition parties to play their constitutional role without being overly critical of the ruling party.
The monarch made the call when the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Abdulaziz Yari, led a delegation to the Benin Palace to seek royal blessings, prayers and support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Oba Ewuare II, however, said the Benin throne remained non-partisan and that his remarks should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any political party.
“The Benin throne is not partisan. There is no point in change for the sake of change. That is not to say that I belong to one party or the other.
“Is there anybody who is as perfect as I am talking now? Nobody. I love and like peace and tranquillity. I am American and British-trained as a diplomat, and I say it the way it is,” he said.
The monarch also urged Nigerians to support continuity in governance rather than seek change simply for the sake of change.
He appealed to former governors, senators and other political leaders to work together in the national interest, stressing the importance of cooperation between the ruling party and opposition parties.
“In democracy, there must be opposition when a party comes to power. I don’t see why an opposition party can’t support the ruling party,” he said.
Also Read: Edu mobilises grassroots support for Tinubu in Kwara State
Earlier, Yari said the delegation visited the palace to seek the Oba’s royal blessings, prayers and support for Tinubu’s re-election, describing the President as the monarch’s son.
The former Zamfara State governor said the Tinubu administration had recorded progress in the economy, citing changes in gross domestic product growth, inflation and foreign exchange stability.
Yari said Nigeria’s annual GDP growth had increased from 2.7 per cent in 2023 to 3.9 per cent, while inflation had declined from 22.9 per cent to 15.9 per cent.
He also said the administration had stabilized the foreign exchange market and described Tinubu as the right person to lead the country.
The Edo State Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, who represented Governor Monday Okpebholo, thanked the Oba for his royal blessings and expressed support for Tinubu’s second-term bid.
“For us in Edo State, Governor Monday Okpebholo is the leader and he is leading well as we have a lot of projects to campaign with, and the people of Edo State will vote massively for President Tinubu to enable him win the 2027 Presidential election,” Idahosa said.
Members of Yari’s entourage included Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; former Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari; and former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff.
Others were former Senate President, Pius Anyim; James Faleke; Sunday Dare; Abdul’malik Zubairu; Prof. Joseph Terlumun; Prof. Ussiju Medaner Al-Mustapha; Lawal Funtua; Lawal M. Liman; Muhammad Gololo; and Nasiruddeen Abdul’aziz Yari.
VANGUARD
