The founding DG of PDP Governors Forum, Osaro Onaiwu has called on the Oba of Benin, Omonoba n'Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II and the Benin traditional Council to call Edo-born businessman, Hosa Okunbo to order.

Onaiwu said there was serious need for the Palace to caution the controversial businessman for using his affiliation to the Palace to perpetrate political bickering.

He reiterated that Benin royal stool is nonpartisan and non-partial and thus, no individual, no matter his standing in the society must be allowed to drag the revered Benin heritage into the murky waters of partisan politics.

Onaiwu further urged the traditional council ask Hosa Okunbo tender an unreserved apology to all Edo citizens for masterminding the fracas at the Oba palace when the Governors and Chieftains of the PDP across the country visited the palace as a prelude to Godwin Obaseki's campaign.

He further called on the Oba to also rein in the leader of "lions" and "tigers" in Edo State, Tony Kabaka so that the "Hunters" would not be forced to neutralise them.

No freedom of speech in Obaseki's Edo State again

Too late for you Mr. Oba.

OBA OF BENIN MUST THREAD CAUTIOUSLY ON EDO ELECTION
By
Osaro Omoruyi (Canada)

The recent so- called Peace Meeting called by the revered Oba of Benin between PDP and APC will go down in the annals of the Edos as a classical case of how a monarch who is a father to all enmeshed himself in a political imbroglio between two edo gladiators and took sides with one of the parties in a very illogical and comical manner. It was glaring to all that the Oba danced naked in the market place and non of his subjects could summon courage to draw his attention to it.

By the Oba's performance it was clear that the objective of the meeting was to humiliate, intimidate and cow Obaseki and his supporters. I must at this juncture commend Obaseki and Shaibu for their composure and display of maturity, humility and respect for the Benin throne in the face of obvious provocation, hostility and bare faced arm twisting tactics inflicted on them in the Palace. The Oba ignored the fact that standing before him was the Governor of Edo State given the power of life and death in accordance to the rule of law irrespective of whose axe is gored. By virtue of the Nigerian Constitution, let it be made clear that the Oba or any other traditional ruler any where in Nigeria is subordinate to the authority of a State Governor. In fact the Oba of Benin is in no where mentioned in the Constitution. It is said that history repeats itself because some people fail to learn from history. Contemporary Nigeria history is replete with cases of traditional rulers who have been deposed. The most recent one is the Ganduje/Sanusi case in Kano arising mainly from the emir who is expected to be apolitical taking sides against the Governor in an election. Even Kwankwaso couldn't save Sanusi when the push came to a shove. It brings to mind Achebe's little bird Nza who after a heavy meal forgot himself and challenged his "chi" (personal god) to a wrestling duel. The Oba left no one in doubt as to how Oshiomhole courted him in 2016 for his imprimatur to make Obaseki a Governor. He now gave a condition that unless Dangote stands as "guarantor" whatever that means for him. In other to have maximum impact on the people, the Oba ensured the whole episode was recorded in full real time and circulated to the whole world via the internet. As a former diplomat the Oba is aware that such peace meetings are held behind closed doors if the intentions are genuine for salutary effects.For the avoidance of doubt let me state here that no single individual or a group has the authority under any guise to hijack the democratic right of Edo State citizens to freely elect their governor.It is the peoples' mandate to give to anyone of their choice..."We the people..."Vox populi, vox dei" the voice of the people is the voice of God.

It was uncharitable for the Oba to have made a dubious reference to the memory of Great Agho Ogbeide Obaseki, the Governor's grand father. From whatever angle the Oba chose to look at that era, he can not deny the noble roles Agho played in Benin history. After the British invasion, Oba Ovonramwen from his hideout sent Agho on reconnaissance to the city and he was captured. After the surrender of Ovonramwen, the British tried to use Agho as a witness to convict him but Agho refused and saved him from execution and then made Ologbosere (military commander) the fall guy who paid the supreme sacrifice. While in exile in Calabar, Ovonramwen did not forget Agho's kind gesture and he gave Agho one of his daughters in marriage. Similarly, Oba Eweka 2 also gave his daughter in marriage to Agho. During the interegnum Agho was paramount Administrator of Benin for 16 years. He was also Iyase of Benin. Agho died 100 years ago and he is definitely not the issue today.

The Oba without deference to the status of Shaibu as the Deputy Governor of Edo State referred to him publicly as a thug whereas it is in the public domain that all the attacks (Agbede, Okpella,Apana etc) were targeted at PDP. Even after the Governor informed him that as Chief Security Officer of the State, he has documented Security Reports on these attacks. The Oba responded that he does not want to apportion blame yet he singled out Shaibu by name for lashing. He made no mention of Capt. Osa, Kabaka and the lions and tigers. This kind of settlement is unmonarch-like. It is a far cry from a Daniel comes to judgement.

It is easy to discern the hand of Esau and voice of Jacob in the so- called peace meeting but whatever it is, when one is sent a message as a slave he should deliver it as a free born.

The bottom line is Edo people should be allowed to freely elect who they want as Governor in a peaceful atmosphere come 19th September 2020. Mind you Edo State is the heart beat of Nigeria.

#@Sept2020edo

this present oba of benin is partisan unlike is father.
if he continue with this manner he will be messed up, just like sanusi.

comos:
this present oba of benin is partisan unlike is father.

if he continue with this manner he will be messed up, just like sanusi.

By who I may ask?, Betrayer Obaseki, like his Grand Father, 100 years ago?

Edo people sud take it easy, there is live after election

comos:
this present oba of benin is partisan unlike is father.

if he continue with this manner he will be messed up, just like sanusi.

And you are Igbo...like your father..

Onye uchu!

Because the Oba called Philip Shuaib to order

Haha

It must really hurt the bini people in this forum to see their Oba messing up big time,the Oba will soon learn his lesson the hard way,the bini gods will deal with him.

It is sad Obaseki thinks he can disparage the Oba and great sons of Edo because of his ambition. September 19 cannot come soon enough. He will hear.
Edo is bigger than Obaseki