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Tag: monarch

  • Monarch alleges election fraud in Gombe

    The District Head of Bodor in Funakaye Local Government Area of Gombe State, Alhaji Saleh Tinka has alleged that he was physically assaulted by politicians because he attempted to stop them from perpetrating electoral fraud at his domain during accreditation for last Saturday’s election.

    The traditional ruler alleged that he went to be accredited for the Governorship and State Assembly elections and found a local politician sharing money to prospective voters in the queue in N1, 000= and N500= denominations and queried the action.

    He said, angered by his action, some politicians from the area whom he could identify pounced on him, manhandled him and humiliated by calling him unprintable names and tearing his regalia to shreds publicly before his subjects.

    He said he tried to explain to them that his action was to ensure the voters voted for contestants of their choices and not an expression of any personal political interest but they would not listen and instead, they continued to demean and make to look stupid.

    He said they eventually turned round and accused him of asking his people to vote for a particular party which he said was absolutely a lie because he has never been a politician and as father of the people.

    The traditional ruler explained that the situation would have degenerated into a major crisis if not because he calmed his people down as they were charged and ready to fight for him at that material time.

    He said he was yet to report the matter to the Police for investigation and appropriate action to be taken but may do so in due course.

    When contacted for his own side of the story, the Funakaye Local Government Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Usman Ribadu denied bearing hand in assaulting the District Head.

    He said he was only passing by and when he saw commotion, he tried intervening by insisting that the District Head entered his car for safety since he is the Chief Security Officer of the Local Government Area.

     

  • Our expectations, by Epe monarch, residents

    Our expectations, by Epe monarch, residents

    The Lagos State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, an indigene of Epe, is the governor-elect. Deputy Political Editor RAYMOND MORDI, who monitored the governorship and House of Assembly elections in the coastal town, asked residents what they expect of Ambode.  

    The Lagos State Governor-elect, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has thanked the people of Lagos for coming out peacefully to cast their ballot last Saturday, saying he would deliver on his promises of a positive change and an improvement in the living standard of Lagosians.

    Ambode, who spoke to reporters in his ancestral home in Epe after casting his ballot, said he was optimistic that he would win the election. He said now that his party would be controlling the government at the centre, his administration would be able to take advantage of the support from the Federal Government to make life better for Lagosians.

    He said: “There are two things that government is expected to do: to guarantee the safety and the wellbeing of the citizenry. We are going to have safer Lagos; we are going to have a Lagos that would make more people more prosperous. That’s the essence of governance and that’s what the APC stands to give the people of Lagos.”

    On what his reaction would be if he loses the contest, Ambode said what matters is the will of the people as expressed in the voting. Nevertheless, he expressed optimism that he would the win the election. He said: “This is democracy; there is always a winner and a loser in a democratic election. What is important is to let our people speak and make their choice. We would respect their choice. Once we are able to do so, we’re on our way forward in the country.”

    Ambode said the conduct of INEC in this governorship and House of Assembly elections is an improvement on what was witnessed two weeks ago. He said the turnout in his polling unit is higher than that of two weeks ago and that the report he is getting from other polling units suggests that the turnout is impressive elsewhere in the state.

    The traditional ruler of Epe, Oba Kamorudeen Ishola Animashaun, said he expects the Governor-elect to complete the projects already started by the outgoing administration of Babatunde Fashola. “We know he has been part and parcel of the APC administration in the state and he knows what to do,” he said.

    Oba Animashaun who spoke during last Saturday’s electiions enumerated the demands of the people of Epe as: “One, electricity; two, water; three, roads; and, four, creation of employment opportunities for youths. We also want Ambode to facilitate the completion of the development projects initiated by the outgoing administration in and around Epe. These include: the Lekki-Epe International Airport project, the Lekki Free Trade Zone and the Lekki Deep Seaport.

    “We also expect Ambode to support Dangote to complete the refinery project. Once all these projects are completed, there would be a lot of rooms to create jobs for our youths.”

    Some residents of Epe equally urged the incoming governor to prioritise the development of infrastructure in the area if elected governor. Mr. Jamiu Agbaje, a community leader said the people of Epe deserved a special attention because of long neglects by the previous government.

    According to Agbaje, Epe Local Government Area deserves such attention as one of the oldest council in the state, which would determine who becomes the next governor of the state. He urged the incoming governor to consolidate on the achievements of Governor Fashola.

    He said both Ambode and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate Jimi Agbaje are familiar with the developmental needs of Epe and so they should not shirk their responsibility to the people.

    Indications are that the election was marred by low turnout in most polling units in Epe.

    From about 11am, most polling officers were idle, because prospective voters were coming for accreditation in trickles. A businessman, Mr. Otun Rafiu, attributed the low turnout to the tension associated with the mutual rivalry between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) prior to the election.

    But, he believes the APC will win at the end of the day. He said the APC flag bearer Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s victory two weeks ago will help the party to carry the day. “Otherwise, the PDP could have gone ahead to win this governorship,” he said.

    Rafiu, who is a card-carrying member of the APC, said there was a little acrimony within the ranks the party members in Epe during the presidential election, which affected the performance of the party in Epe. But, he said the loopholes had been plugged before the current election.

    Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) performed better in the governorship and House of Assembly elections than it did two weeks ago. It appeared to have sorted out the transport logistics problems that nearly marred the presidential and National Assembly elections.

    INEC officials were on ground before 8am in all the polling units visited in parts of the town by our correspondent. Accreditation started promptly in almost all the polling units. But, unlike two weeks ago when people turned up in large numbers as at 8am, prospective voters took their time last Saturday.

    Besides, the tension that gripped the town two weeks ago appears to be absent. People sat in clusters in front of their houses, discussing. Others, particularly women, were busy with household chores. As at 8.30am however activities were already in full swing in most polling units.

    Ambode noted that the performance of INEC improved, compared to two weeks ago and that if it is sustained throughout the state, the election would be more credible.

    His words: “The last time we came for the presidential election, even as at 9am, we had actually not started. But, today, as at 8.30am, about 40 persons had been accredited already and I have already been accredited myself. I give kudos to INEC, so far, so good.”

    The Executive Chairman of Epe Local Government Hon. Ahmed Seriki alleged that there were reported cases of ballot boxes snatching at Ibeju Lekki. He said: “We received a report from Ibeju Lekki that ballot boxes were snatched from INEC officials. I’m trying to get in touch with the Area Commander, to ensure that police gets there to keep peace, because we learnt that PDP thugs snatched ballot boxes from INEC officials, to prevent them from going to their polling units. This can lead to chaos in that area; that’s why I’m alerting the police,” he said.

    Against the background of the boat mishap on the day of the presidential and National Assembly elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) provided over 300 life jackets for its workers going to riverine communities.

    The Electoral Officer of INEC in Epe, Mr. Okpighe Henry, said the commission also made provision for quality canoe and flying boats to convene workers outside the land to riverine.

    According to him, it was imperative to keep improving the nation’s electoral process for the integrity of the governance process and for deepening democracy in the country. He said: “l pledge to all Epe indigenes that we will continuously do our best under all circumstances to ensure free, fair, credible and peaceful elections.

    “We have done our best under all circumstances and we have realised that a large number of indigenes utilized the opportunity and came out to exercise their franchise,” he said

    Henry lauded the contributions of a number of stakeholders to the successful conduct of the presidential elections. He said INEC had made adequate transport arrangement to convey workers and electoral materials with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

  • Police confirm kidnap of monarch in Sokoto

    Mr Bala Hassan, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 10, on Thursday said that four gunmen had kidnapped Alhaji Salihu Barada, the District Head of Wamakko, Sokoto State.

    Hassan told the News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) in Sokoto that the police and other security agencies had been placed on alert to rescue the traditional ruler.

    He said the gunmen, using a gold coloured vehicle, kidnapped Barada and one other person at his farm around 8:00 p.m.

    He said the kidnappers, however, released the second person at Bege village, Kebbi, adding that effective operation had commenced to rescue the traditional ruler.

    “We have deployed our men to the area and very soon we will apprehend those involved,” he stressed.

    Hassan urged people to provide useful information that would lead to the rescue of the district heard to the police.

  • I didn’t endorse Folarin, others – Monarch

    I didn’t endorse Folarin, others – Monarch

    The Sarkin Sasa of Ibadanland, Alhaji Haruna Maiyasin Katsina has dissociated himself from a reported endorsement of the governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen Teslim Folarin or any other governorship candidates in the state.

    He said at no point did he ever endorse anyone governorship candidates in the state.

    Katsina, who is also the Chairman of Arewa taditional‎ rulers in 17 States in Southern Nigeria, spoke Tuesday at his palace in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

    “I was just discharge from the hospital and I was surprised to hear in the news that I have endorsed Sen Teslim Folarin as the governorship candidate of my choice and that all Hausa’s and Fulani’s should vote for him, it’s a lie. Although all the governorship candidates have visited me to seek my support and I just bless them and urge them to desist from causing violence in the state.

    “Governor Ajimobi is my good son and I supported him in 2011 and I will never work against his second term ambition. I am not a politician but a royal father and leader, so I will never campaign for any politician. Anybody or politician using my name to campaign should desist from such or else I will be force to curse them. Its peace I want in all parts of this state. I don’t want tribal or ethnic crisis,” he said

    The Sarkin stated that he is happy with the victory of Gen Buhari, adding that it does not make him a politician but a supporter of good tidings in the country.

    He went further to thank the voters and citizens of the state for their peaceful conduct at the last presidential and national assembly election, urging them to emulate such at the upcoming governorship and house of assembly election in the state.

    He urged the Arewa people in the state to conduct themselves orderly at the April 11 election in the state and vote for any candidate of their choice without been bought over by politicians.

     

     

  • Monarch advises Gani Adams to ‘tread softly’

    Monarch advises Gani Adams to ‘tread softly’

    Oba Rilwan Oluwalambe of Ojokoro in Lagos has described Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC) factional leader Otunba Gani Adams as a traitor for allegedly staging a road show in which people were injured and properties destroyed.

    Oba Oluwalambe condemned some OPC members for invading Oshodi last week.

    He said Adams’ political activities were reprehensible adding: “Gani Adams has become a traitor to the Yoruba people, and by his recent pronouncements, he is on the path of self-destruction.”

    Adams could not be reached last night for his comment.

    The monarch urged supporters of Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA) chairmanship aspirant Dr Dipo Okeyomi, a.k.a. Carry Go, to be peaceful in their conduct, adding that Okeyomi has what it takes for the job.

    Earlier, Okeyomi praised the monarch for the peace and security in his domain, promising to bring development to the community if elected.

    He said he was motivated to run to transform the area, especially in the areas of employment, security, roads, hospitals and education, adding that as a security expert, he would work with all the security agencies, including Police and State Security Service (SSS) for sustenance of peace.

  • Monarch seeks more infrastructure for public schools

    The Olota of Ota HRH  Moshood Fehintola,  has called called on the Ogun State governor to up its infrastrurural drive in the state.

    He spoke at the presentation of over 200 lockers and chairs by the Nigerian Red Cross, Ogun State, to Ansar-Ud- Deen Practicing School, Ota, and Local Government School 1V, Sango-Ota.

    The presentation was funded by  the American People through the Ambassadorial Special Self-Help Project (SSHP) 2014/2015 grant window.

    The event pooled together pupils, teachers, parents, principals of the two schools, and other stakeholders. According to the monarch, education in public schools, has fallen below standard and government is not doing enough to remedy the situation.

    Fehintola, who was represented by the Secretary of Olota-in -Council, Chief Osunabu Bamgboye said: “We have a lot of public schools that have between 80 and 100 pupils in one class with only one teacher to attend to them while other schools need urgent rehabilitation in the state,” he said.

    “Our children deserve the best and it does not matter whether they are attending public or private school, but what matters is that our children must be well grounded and prepared for the ever changing world,” he said.

    Earlier, the Executive Chairman, Universal Basic Education Board, Mufutau Ajibola, said the government was working hard to provide quality education in all the local councils in the state.

    He said: “To revamp our public, the state Universal Basic Education Board had provided many sets of plastic chairs and tables for Early Childhood Care Development Education Centre (ECCDE): 17, 043 sets of 2 seater desks and benches for public primary schools and 10, 900 sets of two seater desks and benches for public Junior Secondary Schools and 7, 148 sets of one table and two chairs for teachers.”

    He thanked the Red Cross for the exhibiting one of the principles of their objectives- voluntary service, adding that the gesture is complementing government’s efforts.

  • Police in Zamfara begin search for abducted monarch

    Police in Zamfara begin search for abducted monarch

    The police in Zamfara have commenced the search for the Emir of Bukkuyum, Alhaji Muhammadu Usman, who was abducted from his palace on Friday night by some gunmen.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in Zamfara, DSP Sanusi Aminu, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gusau on Saturday.

    He said the police in collaboration with other security agencies in the state had blocked all possible outlets from the state in order to arrest the abductors.

    “ Although we do not know their motive, the action is criminal and we shall arrest them and they will face the full wrath of the law,’’ he said.

    Also speaking, Alhaji Aliyu Muhammad, the Secretary to the Bukkuyum Emirate Council and younger brother of the abducted emir, said he spoke on phone with the emir.

    He said the emir was in good health and had not been hurt by his abductors.

    Muhammad, however, urged the people of the community to pray for the safe return of the emir.

    He said the abductors arrived in an ash-coloured Honda Civic car and asked to speak privately with the emir.

    Muhammad further said that when the palace guards resisted the request, the abductors fired gunshots into the air and ordered all those present to hand over their cell phones which they took along with the monarch

    The 60-year-old traditional ruler, who had served on the throne for 14 years, was abducted by the gunmen while he was preparing for his Isha’i prayer.

    The state Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Ibrahim Birnin-Magaji, told NAN that government would give all required assistance to the police in order to rescue the emir.

  • President visits Ijesa monarch

    President visits Ijesa monarch

    The Owa-Obokun of Ijeshaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran 11, has presented the needs of his people to President Goodluck Jonathan.

    These include the payment of compensation to those whose lands were acquired for the construction of the Battalion Strenght Army Barracks at Ibodi, the completion of water supply project at Kajola, the establishment of agro-industrial complex in Ijesaland, the facilitation of mineral resources, and the extension of Railway line from Ibadan to Ilesa.

    The monarch made these demands during the visit of the president to his palace where he was received by tumultous crowd including Obas, Chiefs and party chieftainns including Erelu Olusola Obada, Chief Akinjide. Ondo State Governor Mimiko.

    The monarch used the opportunity to appreciate the president for impacting on the development of Ijesaland through construction of multi billion Naira Ilesa Water Dam, Construction of Silos and the Army barrack.

  • Jonathan, Buhari in struggle for Benin monarch’s endorsement

    Jonathan, Buhari in struggle for Benin monarch’s endorsement

    President Goodluck Jonathan and All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari are struggling for the endorsement of stakeholders in Edo State. With the recent endorsement of the former military Head of State by Benin palace chiefs, there are indications that the APC will have an upper hand at the general elections. OTABOR OSAGIE reports.

    The Benin monarch, Oba Erediauwa, seldom makes speeches whenever he welcomes visitors in his palace. His responses are usually brief. But, palace chiefs who understands his body language know what to say when they are asked to speak on behalf of the monarch.

    However, for the first time, the in-fighting among top Benin chiefs over whether Oba Erediauwa should support President Goodluck Jonathan re-election bid or back the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Gen. Muhammadu buhari has been a source of worry to the people of Edo State.

    During the last governorship contest between Governor Adams Oshiomhole and General Charles Airhiavbere, the monarch did not openly endorse any candidate. But, speeches by palace chiefs suggested the monarch’s preference.

    To General Airhiavbere, Oba Erediauwa said: “I have been watching you on the television and I will continue to watch you on the television.” But, the royal father, who spoke through Chief David Edebiri, the Esogban of Benin Kingdom, during the campaign visit of Governor Oshiomhole, said: “Adams Oshiomhole is the Benin candidate. He is the one who wants Benin City to join other modern cities in the country. So, he is our candidate. Some people said the palace is playing politics. What is politics? The Oba himself is an embodiment of politics.

    “If you have a house and you are old and your children did not come to paint the house and somebody from outside came and painted it and decorate it for you, will you leave that person? Once again, we are voting for Adams Oshiomhole.

    “As the Odionwere of Bini Kingdom, and I am speaking on behalf of the Oba, you are going to win. The oracle has spoken. Anyone who disputes it or fights against the oracle, then, let him fight on. We will wait and see the result.” Governor Oshiomhole later won the election in a landslide.

    In 1991, when Lucky Igbinedion of the defjunct National Republican Convention (NRC) contested against Chief John Odigie-Oyegun of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP), the support of Oba Erediauwa saw Oyegun to victory. Chief Gabrial Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin and father to Lucky, later dragged the Oba before the tribunal.

    During the visit of President Goodluck Jonathan on February 4 for royal blessing, the Benin monarch, in a letter read by the Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, said the Benins would accept whoever God chooses to lead the country after the presidential elections

    He said: “God and our ancestors already know your (President Jonathan) aims. Whoever God has chosen is our choice.”

    There was controversy over royal support for candidates recently when Chief Edebiri, who doubles as Chairman of the Benin Forum, said at a press briefing that Benins would not support President Jonathan. The statement was seen by many as the voice of the Oba because the forum, which is the umbrella body of  body all Benins in Nigeria and the Diaspora, reports to the Oba and its is personally appointed by the Oba.

    Edebiri, the Esogban of Benin, is the Odionwere (head) of all witches and wizards in Benin Kingdom. He listed the sins of the President against the kingdom. He said President Jonathan sacked the Minister of State for Works, Chris Ogiemwonyi, an engineer, and gave it to his (Ogiemwonyi) ex-wife, Stella Oduah, who hails from Anambra State.

    Edebiri added: “What was for the Benins was taken to Anambra by the present administration. That is why the Benin people will not vote for the PDP. Besides robbing the Benin people of the ministerial appointment, the home of the former minister, Ogiemwonyi, was completely broken by the action of the Presidency.

    “Is that what they have done for the Benin people that will make us to vote PDP? Impossible. If they want to postpone elections 20 times, the people are here waiting for them. The consequences of what Jonathan has done will be very grievous for him and his party. You met a man who was appointed half minister by the previous administration. His people in Benin voted massively for you during the elections. You now want to compose a new executive, you dropped him and took his wife, who comes from across the Niger.

    “Consequently, his home became divided and irretrievably broken. Robbing Benin of their ministerial appointment, destroying their son’s home for the interest of some people in Abuja. And this time around, you are coming to campaign here that we should vote for you. It is not possible that we will vote for such people because the Benin nation has been sidelined with ignominy in the present arrangement.

    “Nothing that the Federal Government can come to point to in Edo state that this is what he has done in the last four years. We have a governor who is performing. We have a governor we all love because of his developmental strides. The same Federal Government is starving the state government of funds. They don’t want the government to perform any more for us. How do we vote for people like that? The die is cast, whether they like it or not, the defeat of the present Federal Government is imminent and irreversible”.

    The Esogban’s statement did not go down well with members of the opposition parties. Chief Patrick Eholor, the Enobore of Ute Kingdom and President of One Love Foundation, frowned at it. Chief Eholor said Chief Edebiri should desist from using his position as the Odionwere of Benin to speak on behalf of the Binis on political choices. But, the Esogban said the criticism was inconsequential.

    Eholor pointed out that Chief Edebiri has no moral right to speak for the Binis since the Binis are enlightened people who have the right to their freedom of political expression. He said: “This is a rat race. The Esogban must remain neutral and should not use the Benin Forum to conclude that the palace has taken a stand on who the Binis should vote for and he should desist from such utterances or we will resist him

    “The Binis has its proud culture, which must be separated from politics and, if we are to maintain our cultural heritage, the palace should not be dragged into politics. That is why we are worried about what he said.”

    A chieftain of the PDP and palace chief, who is lower in rank to the Esogban, Chief Amos Osunbor, the Eson of Benin, described the comments from the Benin Forum as “vexatious.”  He warned that such mis-formation portends an inherent danger to the Benins. “I wish to state categorically that Omo N’ Edo Uku Akpolopkolo, through our revered Crown Prince Ehenede, had already expressed his desire to have President Goodluck Jonathan serve a second term to enable him complete the transformation that he has already started.

    “Every Nigerian witnessed the epoch royal visit. I am therefore, wondering about the intention of Chief Edebiri because his latest comments amount to an affront on His Royal Majesty. No one, except the monarch, has right to speak for the Binis,” he said.

    President Jonathan has sent a powerful PDP delegation led by his campaign coordinator in the state, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, to woo the Chief Priest of Benin Kingdom, Chief Nosakhare Isekhure. Chief Isekhure was nominated as a delegate to the National Conference by President Jonathan. Isekhure, who reiterated the Oba’s support for the President’s re-election bid, promised to mobilise all southerners to vote for him.

    He said: “I have not seen a person who has dedicated himself to Nigeria like Jonathan. I am very confident that he has good agenda. Therefore, I will vote for Jonathan more than one hundred and ten times. Even though I am of the APC, I will not only vote for him, I will mobilise all the traditional institutions in Benin and elsewhere in the South and I believe he will win. The only candidate I know is Jonathan and I will vote for him. If heaven is going to fall, let it fall.

    “Those calling Benin people not to vote for Jonathan are just wasting their time because there is no such platform that can tell the people who they should vote for. During the 2011 presidential election, the Oba of Benin not only endorsed Jonathan, but was the one who set the impetus for the president to run and so, I do not think the monarch has change his stand on that.”

    The campaign team of President Jonathan also visited the Holy Arosa Cathedral, the traditional church of the Benins where the Oba is the General Overseer. At the church, Pastor Ize-Iyamu met with some palace chiefs led by Chief Sunny Omorogbe, the Osafuoba of Benin.

    However, the Benin Royal family in its reaction condemned the presence of Jonathan Campaign Organisation at the Holy Aruosa Cathedral and warned against its desecration. The Oba’s younger brother and Enogie of Obazuwa, Prince Edun Akenzua, hinted that some of the palace chiefs would be sanctioned by the appropriate authorities.

    “We will not allow the Holy Arousa to be desecreted. Invading the Holy Arousa Cathedral, as Pastor Ize-Iyamu-Iyamu’s team did, shows how desperate they are to capture the royal institution. It is even more so when the leader or the coordinator is a Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church. I wonder if he will do that in his church.”

    Prince Akenzua explained that it was against the rules of the palace for Chief Amos Osunbor to openly castigate the Esogban, since the Eson is lower in rank after the Esogban in the hierarchy of the palace Chiefs.

    He said: “The disturbing aspect of the whole episode is the indiscipline and disloyalty to the Benin cause and our revered institution. In order to comprehend the gravity and implication of Eson’s act, it is important to explain briefly the organogram of Benin chieftaincy.

    “Palace or royal chiefs belong mainly to three groups namely: Eghaevbo n’ore, Eghaevbo n’Ogbe and Ibiwe. Iyase is the head of Eghaevbo n’orhe. Esogban, Eson and Osuma belong to the same group and are in that order of seniority. That means Eson is next to Esogban in the hierarchy of that group.”

    “Both Esogban, Eson and Isekhure can exercise their freedom of speech, but that freedom of speech does not extend to a chief or member of the Royal Court to publicly and derisively criticize his colleague, more so a senior one. In the military or the uniformed forces, the erring person would be court marshalled”.

    “I have even said it myself that. after the Benins voted the President in 2011,when Oshiomhole said we should support him, the man has not done anything for our people. And when the Esogban spoke, he did not say he was speaking on behalf of the Benin Forum which I am a member, he said he was speaking his mind. And let us not forget that as chairman of the forum, he protects the interest of the Binis and not that of a few, so if he says Benins will not vote for Jonathan because he has not done anything for the Benins what is wrong with that comment. Personally I have not seen anything that Jonathan has done for us as a people and if there is anything let them come and show me”.

    The Benin Royal Family was however, shocked when a sponsored advertorial by the PDP on the television showed last year’s visit of Benin Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa to President Jonathan at the behest of his father. A replay of the interview granted journalists by the Crown Prince was perhaps to hoodwink people that the Benin Monarch endorsed President Jonathan.

    Crown Prince Erediauwa warned the PDP to desist from politicising his visit to garner votes, ahead of the general election. He urged the public to discountenance the use of his pictures, images, audio and video to campaign for votes.

    The Benin Prince noted that his visit to the Presidential villa as directed by his father, Oba Erediuawa, was to douse negative comments that the Oba does not support the government of President Jonathan. He maintained that the palace has not endorsed the President for a second term.

    A statement by Royal Palace Chiefs last week and read by the traditional Prime Minister of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, the Iyase of Benin, reiterated that the Benin monarch has not endorsed any candidate for the March 28 election.

    Chief Igbe, whose son, the Speaker of the House of assembly is an APC candidate for the House of Representatives election, said the media should stop the partisan advert showing the Crown Prince’s visit to President Jonathan.

    He said the palace seriously consider the continuous use of the video to boost support for a particular party as image-tarnishing of the palace.

    Also, the Southsouth sentiment is collapsing. Apart from Ijaw, other ethnic groups are accusing the President of being clannish. Can the President still get bloc vote from the Southsouth? March 28 will tell.

  • Monarch: we’ll ensure victory for APC

    THE Enogie of Oghobase in Edo South Local Government Area of Edo State, Idu Akenzua, has pledged his support for Governor Adams Oshiomhole and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the elections following ‘numerous developmental projects’ in the state.

    Idu Akenzua spoke yesterday when Oshiomhole visited his palace.

    He said: “We are following your work religiously. We can say you have not only demystified governance, you have brought a human face to bear on governance. Governance used to be inaccessible, but since you came on board, things have taken a good turn.

    “I am assuring you of my support and the support of my kingdom. We are solidly behind you. Don’t relent in what you are doing. We will put in our best and ensure you get victory.”

    Governor Oshiomhole thanked the Enogie and hailed him for the peace in his dukedom.

    Oshiomhole said: “I appreciate your support and prayers. I am happy you acknowledged things we have done and drew my attention to the issues in your domain. Schools are important because people in rural areas will not produce engineers and doctors, or achieve upward mobility for their children if there are no schools.’’

    “That is why Edo State devotes resources to building schools. We have also abolished fees so parents won’t have excuse not to send their children to school.

    “Our schools are free and in areas where pupils are able to board the Comrade bus, they do so free, whether going or returning from school once they are in uniform.”