The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, says both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) are arming political thugs ahead of the September 19 gubernatorial election in Edo State.
He stated this during a peace meeting he brokered at his palace between the PDP candidate, Governor Godwin Obaseki and his APC counterpart, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu on Wednesday.
Former governors Adams Oshiomhole and John Odigie-Oyegun also attended the meeting.
The Oba of Benin expressed worry over the violence-prone campaigns run by both parities, stating that election should not be a do-or-die affair.
He advised the politicians to conduct themselves peacefully and not risk the disintegration of the state over an election.
The revered traditional ruler reminded the candidates and their supporters that they only have Edo state to call their own and would ultimately benefit nothing if the state is embroiled in crisis over the forthcoming polls.
He lamented that the state has been in the news for the wrong reasons in recent times, and warned the politicians against further denting of the state’s image.
“Both of you are arming thugs and I worry about what will happen with this weapons after the poll. 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 the 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.
“Don’t kill yourselves over an office, don’t kill yourselves over votes, let us have a working relationship that President Muhammadu Buhari had with Goodluck Jonathan; It is not a do or die affair. The two candidates must toe 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 Oba of Benin stated.
He added that he chose to be apolitical in order not to be seen to be supporting any candidate, and warned the Enigies to stop issuing political statements.
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