Oba Of Benin Finally Endorses Goodluck,As Children Move Enmass To PDP

Oba of Benin, Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Erediauwa, has said that there was no going back in the choice of President Goodluck Jonathan in March 28 Presidential election.
The Oba, who reiterated his earlier endorsement of President Jonathan, further called on Edo people to vote en mass for him in the election.
Oba Erediauwa spoke through his son Ekpen Erediauwa at the Women for Change rally held in Benin City, capital of Edo state yesterday.
Prince Ekpen, who in company of some of the Obas’ children formally declared for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Saturday, explained that the royal family of Benin resolved to vote for Jonathan following earlier endorsement of the president by their father.
“We reiterate Omo n’ Oba’s endorsement of Jonathan, we are for Jonathan, the royal family, Benin people have resolved themselves to vote Jonathan,” the former chairman of Oredo Local Government Council said.
It would be recalled that the monarch earlier assured President Jonathan of victory in the forthcoming election slated for March 28, in Abuja through his son and a chief in the Benin Kingdom, Ada Erediuwa.
The prince who led a delegation of princes and chiefs of the Benin Kingdom on a visit to a former Minister of Information and elder statesman, Edwin Clark, recalled that his father had met with President Jonathan three times.
He explained that while the first meeting was a private affair between the two leaders, the second meeting was a public function when the President went to Edo to commission the refurbished Benin-Lagos expressway.
He said the third meeting sometime in September 2014 was the most significant because the Oba presented a “red ododo” to the President.
The prince explained that the Oba deliberately gave the President the material to pass a message. He said it was the highest Benin traditional attire and the Oba wore it when he had to go to court.
“He wore it and trekked to the court to show he meant business,” Mr. Erediuwa said. “In Benin Kingdom, the ododo represents success and it is a sign of victory. Whoever wears it to the battle field must return home.”
Mr. Erediuwa said the Oba had made it clear by his actions and words that he supported the president.
Similarly, the Benin monarch had prayed that the opportunity will come for President Jonathan to continue the good work he has been doing in Benin and other parts of South-South for at least another term.”
The Oba through his son and heir apparent to the kingdom, stated last year, when he addressed State House correspondents in Abuja, after a closed-door meeting with Mr. Jonathan, stated, “that the kingdom had since embarked on special prayers for the success of the president in next year’s general elections.
“On behalf of my father, who sent me here to convey this message to Mr. President that he has been following the things that have been happening in the country.
”All these disturbances, the distractions Mr. President has been having, that Mr. President being his son, he considers Mr. President his son and he has asked me to present this special message to Mr. President, to tell Mr. President that he is praying for him in the Benin Kingdom.
”He is praying fervently for him to be able to withstand the pressure, to go through the pressure.