The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governors to shun godfatherism and avoid attempting to control Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki.
The revered traditional ruler stated this Tuesday when Obaseki, who was recently re-elected, led four other PDP governors to pay a thank-you visit to the palace.
Obaseki was accompanied to the palace by Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), and Seyi Makinde (Oyo).
Oba Ewuare II said it would be wrong for the PDP leaders to turn around and practise godfatherism, which they campaigned against in the build-up to the September 19 gubernatorial election in the state.
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“I want to on this occasion plead with the PDP to guard against godfatherism and not to allow unscrupulous members kill your party. I will tell the PDP governors not become hidden godfathers that will be controlling Governor Obaseki.
“All hands should be on deck to work for Edo State and Edo people everywhere they may be. This is where everybody will be proud to belong to. I said the whole world is watching Edo State and I thank God and our ancestors that the elections came without any violence,” the Oba of Benin said.
Reacting, the host governor, Obaseki, expressed gratitude to the traditional ruler for his fatherly advice.
“You are our Oba and it behooves on all of use to preserve the traditional institution. You have kindly received us today; I want to assure you that as the governor of Edo State, I have heard your admonitions and I want to promise that I will rededicate myself in my next tenure to the full service of the state and the people of the state,” Obaseki said.
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The Chairman of the PDP National Campaign Council for the election and Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, introduced his colleagues to the palace.
He said, “As it is our tradition in PDP, we will always respect the traditional institution and whatever promise we have made, we will always fulfil that promise.
“You made a promise to us that as a traditional ruler, you are apolitical and so, that you will not canvass for votes for anybody but what you preach is that there should be peace; there should be free and fair election.
“Your Royal Majesty, we have seen with our eyes that there was a free and fair and peaceful election. We are calling on everyone to team up with your son for the development of Edo State.”