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His Royal Highness, the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has urged the two main political rivals in the forthcoming Edo State governorship election, Governor Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) and pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressive Congress (APC) not to kill themselves over the governorship office.
The Benin monarch stated this on Wednesday at a peace meeting he held with the two leading candidates at his palace in Benin City, the state capital.
Oba Ewuare described the upcoming polls as the worst scenario in the history of Edo politics, noting that he is having sleepless night over the growing violence in the state.
“The warning is especially for the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),” he said.
“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 sometime 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 said the election is not a do-or-die affair, urging the political leaders in the state to give peace a chance.
“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,” said the Oba of Benin.
“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.”
The PDP also shared a video via its official Twitter handle showing Governor Obaseki and Ize-Iyamu embracing each other at the meeting.
#EdoFirst #EdoSouthCampaign-Update on the meeting at the Oba’s Palace: The @OfficialPDPNig Guber Candidate, @GovernorObaseki and the @OfficialAPCNg Guber Candidate, @IzeIyamu4EdoGov, embracing each other during the meeting with HRH, Oba Ewuare II. @officialKolaO @UcheSecondus pic.twitter.com/HzpK60ePew
— Official PDP Nigeria (@OfficialPDPNig) September 2, 2020
Adams Oshiomhole and John Odigie-Oyegun, former national chairmen of APC and ex-governors of the state, attended the meeting.
