BENIN CITY– The Benin Traditional Council (BTC) has reiterated the non-partisan position of the palace of the Benin Monarch.
The BTC position was contained in a statement issued by its secretary, Frank Irabor.
According to the statement, the position “has been repeated by His Royal Highness, Crown Prince (Amb) Eheneden Erediauwa Edaiken N’ Uselu that the Benin Monarch is non-partisan.
“The prayer Omo N’Oba Erediauwa left for us as a legacy regarding gubernatorial elections is that we should always pray to God and our ancestors to give us a governor that will develop the state, provide food for the people and accord respect to traditional rulers.”
The statement noted that Benin Chiefs have different political affiliations, consequent of which statements from them are therefore not necessarily on behalf of the palace of the Oba of Benin.
Specifically, the statement cited a publications in a national daily with Captions “Eghaevbo N’ Ore Palace Chiefs endores Ize-Iyamu” and “Benin Chiefs who endorsed Ize-Iyamu are PDP members-Obazelu of Benin.”
The statement also noted that it is being rumoured that chiefs were “going round villages to campaign for a particular candidate.
“For the purpose of clarification,” the statement indicated that Benin Traditional Council further wish to state that such instruction from the palace would be tantamount to contradiction of the non-partisan policy of the Benin Royal Crown.”
The statement therefore urged members of the public to discountenance the rumour because the palace has not and will not contradict itself in the matter of partisan politics.”
