lduozee Paul, Benin Correspondent
Oba of Benin, Omo N’ Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare II, has admonished politicians to play by the rule as he kicked against desperation for power and violence ahead of the 2019 general elections.
The Bini monarch equally told the politicians to avoid vote buying to allow the electorate cast their vote wisely.
He said they must play the game by its rules and avoid a do-or-die politics warning that God and the ancestors are seriously against those who would want to acquire political power through the shedding of blood. He made the call during a meeting he held with chairmen and members of the various political parties in the state and the Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers and chiefs in Benin City. Oba Ewuare II said power belongs and comes from God and He decides who to bequeath it to adding that politicians must learn to put their trust in Him and see politics as a game where there must be a winner and a loser.
According to him, “It must be realized at this point that no one has power of his own. Besides, it is God Almighty the great geometrician of the universe that gives power to anyone, be it political power or spiritual power. So, it will be against God’s wish if anyone tries to achieve political powers through spilling of human blood or killing innocent citizens.
“The Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs condemned such act in its entirety”
The royal father advised that winners in election must learn to be magnanimous in victory while the loser must be gallant enough to accept defeat in order to be able to strategize his way to victory in the subsequent elections just as he advised politicians to stop stockpiling arms and recruiting youths as political thugs with the sole aim of distorting the peace and tranquility currently enjoyed in the country.
“We understand that some politicians are procuring weapons and are already recruiting gullible youths as thugs to be used before and during elections. It is our prayer that God and our ancestors help avert violence and mayhem from our land before, during and after the elections.
“However, the enduring peace we seek will not be achieved without the support and cooperation of politicians themselves, especially the leaders and candidates of the various political parties. It must be realized at this point that no one has power of his own. Besides, it is God Almighty the great geometrician of the universe that gives power to anyone, be it political power or spiritual power. So, it will be against God’s wish if anyone tries to achieve political powers through spilling of human blood or killing innocent of citizens.
“The Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs condemn such act in its entirety. The council is
against the use of our youths or anybody else to cause violence or disrupt the electoral process. We wish to advise the youths to be weary of politicians who might come to recruit them as thugs for whatever amount. The youths ought to be wiser now and should not allow politicians use and dump them like rags, while their children and siblings are enjoying the best of life in comfort zones. What is good for the goose is good for the gander”.
He advised the youths to be wiser and to decide by themselves who to vote for as he urged all to support good governance.
“The youth should support any candidate of their choice through free, fair and credible elections, and must be ready to demand good governance, transparency and accountability from their elected leaders. This is the way democracy should be practiced in our society. Nigeria being the most populous country and an economic giant in the Sub-Sahara Africa, it will augur well for our dear country to be the leader in democratic practice. Consequently, we urge you all to support good governance, transparency and accountability,” the monarch charged.
