Omo N’Oba N' Edo Uku
Akpolopkolo, Oba Erediauwa, in a statement issued by the Secretary of the Benin
Traditional Council, Frank Irabor, on Monday said he did not shun President
Goodluck Jonathan and his entourage.
It will be recalled that Jonathan was, last Saturday,
accompanied by his Vice, Namadi Sambo; governors Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta),
Idris Wada (Kogi), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa); and the PDP Chairman, Bamanga
Tukur to Edo State.
The President and his entourage were heading to Samuel Ogbemudia
Stadium, Benin City, for the PDP rally ahead of the July 14 Edo State
governorship election, when he paid a courtesy visit to the palace.
The media, however, reported that the President was told he
could not meet with the Oba due to unforeseen circumstances after waiting for
several minutes.
Correcting the reports, Irabor said the Oba later met with
Jonathan in a private chamber in the palace, despite a “complicated situation
on that day.”
“The Palace would like to make it clear that the Omo N‘Oba did
not shun Mr. President and the Peoples Democratic Party members that came with
him," the statement read.
“Three weeks ago, the Omo N‘Oba waited for over two hours in his
open office where he received Vice-President Namadi Sambo and the PDP chiefs
that were in Benin for their political rally.”
The Oba, however, urged politicians to ignore violence during
the election. He said vying for public offices should not be taken as a
do-or-die affair.
Meanwhile, the Niger Delta Indigenous Movement for Radical
Change and the African Renaissance Party, have also warned youths and
politicians in Edo State to shun any form of violence during the upcoming
election.
The warning was contained in a statement issued by its
President, Nelly Emma, and Secretary, John Sailor.
NDIMRC urged candidates for the election to caution their
followers against engaging in violent acts.