The Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku’Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, has called on Nigerian political leaders to close ranks and work together in the interest of national development, stressing the need for greater cooperation between the ruling party and the opposition.
The monarch made the call in Benin City yesterday when the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Abdulaziz Yari, led members of the council to the Benin Palace to seek royal blessings, prayers and support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in the 2027 presidential election.
Oba Ewuare II said political differences should not be allowed to undermine the collective interests of the nation, arguing that opposition parties could still support policies and programmes of the ruling government when such initiatives were beneficial to Nigerians.
“In democracy there must be opposition when a party comes to power. I don’t see why an opposition party can’t support the ruling party,” the monarch said.
He also urged former governors, senators and other political leaders to work together, irrespective of their political affiliations, in the interest of the country.
The Oba, however, stressed that the Benin throne remained non-partisan and that his call for cooperation should not be interpreted as partisan support for any political party.
“The Benin throne is not partisan. There is no point for change for the sake of change. That is not to say that I belong to one party or the other,” he said.
The monarch further appealed to politicians and their supporters to moderate their criticisms of political leaders, noting that no individual was perfect.
“Is there anybody who is so perfect as I am talking now? Nobody. I love and like peace and tranquillity. I am American and British trained as a diplomat, and I say it the way it is,” he said.
Earlier, Yari explained that the delegation was at the palace to seek the monarch’s royal blessings, prayers and support for President Tinubu’s re-election.
“Our mission today is simple: Mr. President formed the campaign council for his re-election. We are here to seek royal blessings, prayers, and support for the re-election of your son, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, come 2027,” Yari said.
The former Zamfara State governor also highlighted what he described as achievements of the Tinubu administration in the economy, citing improvements in GDP growth, inflation and foreign exchange stability.
Yari said annual GDP growth had risen from 2.7 per cent in 2023 to 3.9 per cent, while inflation, according to him, had declined from 22.9 per cent to 15.9 per cent.
He also said the administration had stabilised the foreign exchange market, describing Tinubu as the right person to lead the country.
The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa, who thanked the monarch for the royal blessings, said President Tinubu deserved a second term, arguing that equity, fairness and justice demanded that the South be given the opportunity to complete its constitutional political cycle.
Idahosa also expressed confidence in the APC’s performance in Edo State, saying Governor Monday Okpebholo had provided the administration with several projects and achievements to campaign with ahead of the 2027 elections.
“For us in Edo State, Governor Monday Okpebholo is the leader and he is leading well. We have a lot of projects to campaign with, and the people of Edo State will vote massively for President Tinubu to enable him win the 2027 Presidential election,” he said.
