The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, on Sunday, publicly denied a claim made by former Edo State governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, regarding the 2016 governorship election.
The incident occurred during a visit by All Progressives Congress stalwarts to the Benin monarch’s palace following the party’s victory in the Saturday governorship election.
According to Daily Trust, the senator representing Edo North in the National Assembly, while kneeling before the Oba, expressed regret for ignoring what he claimed was the monarch’s advice against endorsing Godwin Obaseki as his successor in 2016.
He said, “Your Royal Majesty, I would like to remain on my knees, first to apologize to Your Majesty for my poor judgment when, in spite of your clear advice to the contrary, I stubbornly, and wrongly supported a man… when I presented Obaseki to you, against your advice.”
However, the Oba of Benin was quick to refute Oshiomhole’s statement, clarifying that he had never advised against Obaseki’s candidature.
The Oba said, “When you brought Obaseki to me, I did not say anything.”
He emphasized that he never voiced opposition to Obaseki when Oshiomhole introduced him as a potential successor, Nigerian Tribune reported.
The monarch pointed to a witness present during the initial introduction to support his statement. The Oba also hinted at his desire to avoid any controversy involving Senator Monday Okpebholo, a prominent APC figure and a key ally of Oshiomhole.
The Oba stated, “I told them. And I will try to restrain myself. Because anything that will bring any issue with my son Akpakomisa (Okpebholo’s appellation), I want to avoid it.”
The exchange, witnessed by several high-profile APC members, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Okpebholo, has added a dramatic twist to the ongoing political narrative in Edo State.
The denial by the revered monarch has sparked further discussions about the true dynamics behind Oshiomhole’s endorsement of Obaseki, who has since become a controversial figure in Edo State politics.
