The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare, has called on the governorship candidate of the PDP in Edo State, Governor Godwin Obaseki and that of the APC, Pastor Osagie Ize-lyamu, to tell their foot-soldiers to shun violence.
The Oba made the call, Wednesday, at his palace in Benin during a meeting with the candidates of the two major political parties on the need for peaceful election in the state.
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He said the meeting was convened to appeal to politicians to control the youths and their thugs.
He urged them to emulate former President Jonathan who in the 2015 election, before the result was announced, called President Muhammadu Buhari and congratulated him, a development which, the monarch said, doused tension in the country.
He also advised the candidates to have the kind of good working relationship that existed between President Buhari and former President Jonathan.
The Oba, who frowned at endorsement of political candidates by traditional rulers, said the Benin throne is non-partisan.
He also expressed disappointment over the sour relationship between Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and Governor Obaseki.
While speaking, Governor Obaseki said as the chief security officer of the state, he had already sworn to an oath to protect the lives and property of the people and would not do anything short of that.
On his part, Pastor Ize-Iyamu assured the monarch that he would address his followers to maintain peace before, during and after the election.
Also speaking, a former national chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, expressed shock over the political crisis in the ruling party that degenerated to the present state and promised to work for peace.
In his remarks, Oshiomhole said he didn’t promote violence during his election and would not do so for others, assuring the monarch of peaceful election.
For Chief Dan Orbih of the PDP, he commended the monarch for calling for the peace pact and assured that they would abide by his instructions.
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