Oba Of Benin To Buhari: Edo Traditional Rulers Are Concerned About Outcome Of 2019 General Elections

…Restates call for withdrawal of BEDC operational License in Edo

…Asks President Buhari to encourage and support Edo govt’s quest for alternative source of electricity

BY ALLTIMEPOST.COM

Great Benin King, Oba Ewuare II told President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday that Traditional Rulers in Edo State were concerned about the outcome of the 2019 general elections, charging Politicians to endeavor to be more patriotic and be concerned about the security and welfare of the people.

“As the 2019 general elections draws near, it is pertinent to call on politicians to let the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians be uppermost in their mind. Consequently, they should not do anything that would undermine our collective peace, unity and progress. They should not engage in acts that could truncate our democracy,” Oba Ewure advised.

President Buhari was on a courtesy visit to the Oba, as part of the activities marking the launch of his 2019 presidential campaign in the heartbeat of the nation.

The Benin Monarch informed the president of his efforts and those of the Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs towards ensuring violent-free elections.

Oba Ewuare referred to the November 2018 meetings with all the Enigie, Edionwere, Igie-Ohen and Elders of the various communities in the Kingdom where he directed them to offer prayers and sacrifice to avert violence and bloodshed before, during and after the elections.

“On November 30, 2018 there was also a meeting of the Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs where it was resolved that I should convene a meeting of Chairmen and Candidates of the various political parties about the election.

“Consequently, on January 7, 2019 the meeting held at this Palace, and we advised politicians to play politics according to the rules, and should not regard politics as a do or die affair. We equally cautioned them against the use of weapon or youths as thugs to disrupt the electoral process.”

Oba Ewuare thanked President Buhari for the support and encouragement given to members of Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM), and the Traditional Rulers of Oil Producing Communities (TROMPCOM).

“I have been informed that Mr. President has graciously approved that henceforth the payment of 13% derivation gas flared penalty money be given to the HOSTCOM. I have also been informed that Mr. President has equally given approval for HOSTCOM to recruit 10,000 youths as pipeline surveillance officers.

“Your Excellency, with this development, the transformation and development of the various communities in the Niger Delta region would be accelerated, Oba Ewuare noted.

Oba Ewuare also used the opportunity to draw the president’s attention to what he called inadequate electricity supply by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company BEDC in the state, restating the call of Edo state traditional rulers for the withdrawal of the operational license of the energy company in the state.

According to him, it is the wish of Edo state traditional rulers for the federal government to encourage and support the efforts of Edo State Government in seeking alternative sources of providing electricity to meet the demand of the people.

Below is full text of the Oba’s speech:

ADDRESS BY HIS ROYAL MAJESTY, OMO N’OBA N’EDO UKU AKPOLOKPOLO, EWUARE II, OBA OF BENIN ON THE OCCASION OF THE VISIT OF PRESIDENT MOHAMMADU BUHARI TO EDO STATE ON THURSDAY JANUARY 17, 2019 AT THE OBA PALACE BENIN CITY.

PROTOCOL,

I am delighted, on behalf of the Benin Royal Family, Chiefs, Enigie and good people of Edo State to welcome to this Palace, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Mohammadu Buhari, GCFR and members of his entourage.

Let me welcome specially our illustrious son and National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, mni, CON.

We are aware that Mr. President is in Benin City to flag off the APC Presidential campaign in Edo State. As Chairman of Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, I want to say that Traditional Rulers in Edo State are concerned about the outcome of the 2019 general elections.

That is why in November 2018 I held meetings with all the Enigie, Edionwere, Igie-Ohen and Elders of the various communities in the Kingdom and directed them to offer prayers and sacrifice to avert violence and bloodshed before, during and after the elections.

On November 30, 2018 there was also a meeting of the Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs where it was resolved that I should convene a meeting of Chairmen and Candidates of the various political parties about the election.

Consequently, on January 7, 2019 the meeting held at this Palace, and we advised politicians to play politics according to the rules, and should not regard politics as a do or die affair. We equally cautioned them against the use of weapon or youths as thugs to disrupt the electoral process.

The Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs also advised the electorates against vote buying and enjoined traditional rulers to provide a level playing ground for all Candidates irrespective of their political party. As traditional rulers, we are expected to be father of all. We would strive to always live to expectation.

Politicians on their part should endeavour to be more patriotic and be concerned about the security and welfare of the people, which of course is the primary purpose of government. As the 2019 general elections draws near, it is pertinent to call on politicians to let the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians be uppermost in their mind.

Consequently, they should not do anything that would undermine our collective peace, unity and progress. They should not engage in acts that could truncate our democracy.

We have been praying to God Almighty, the great geometrician of the universe that the process and result of the 2019 general elections should be free, fair and credible. If it is so the winner should be magnanimous in victory, and the loser should accept defeat gallantly.

We all must realized that in an election, there must be a winner and a loser. Politicians must exhibit sportsmanship, statesmanship and patriotism at all times.

At this juncture, I also want to reiterate my earlier appeal to the Federal Government to intensify its effort at the dualization of the Benin-Auchi-Lokoja highway to make the movement of goods and services easier as well as save lives of motorists and travellers on that ever busy road.

Mr. President, I will not fail to mention the challenge of electricity supply in Edo State. Electricity supply is no doubt key to the development of any society. Unfortunately, over the years the people of Edo State have experienced inadequate electricity supply by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company BEDC.

In fact, during one of the meetings of the Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, we issued a communique condemning the inefficient performance of BEDC, including its estimated billing method. We also called for the withdrawal of the operational licence of BEDC.

In its place Traditional Rulers appealed to the Federal Government to encourage and support the efforts of Edo State Government in seeking alternative sources of providing electricity to meet the demand of the people.

Your Excellency I also want to use this opportunity to thank you for the support and encouragement given to members of Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM), and the Traditional Rulers of Oil Producing Communities (TROMPCOM).

I have been informed that Mr. President has graciously approved that henceforth the payment of 13% derivation gas flared penalty money be given to the HOSTCOM. I have also been informed that Mr. President has equally given approval for HOSTCOM to recruit 10,000 youths as pipeline surveillance officers.

Your Excellency, with this development, the transformation and development of the various communities in the Niger Delta region would be accelerated.

However Mr. President I am a little bit worried over the seeming differences among the members of HOSTCOM, as different groups are laying claims to its leadership. For instance, on Tuesday January 15, 2019 a group of HOSTCOM led by Dr. Mike Emu and Chief Wellington Okrika paid me a courtesy visit to inform me about the recent development.

On Wednesday January 16, 2019 another group of HOSTCOM led by His Eminence King Dr. Edmund Dakoru the Amanayanbor of Nembe, was in my Palace to also inform me about the progress so far.

This group expressed worry over the breakout of faction in HOSTCOM and appealed that I should intervene to resolve their differences. On these separate visits, they have each asked me to accept the overall leadership position as their National Grand Patron.

Your Excellency, I cannot decline the role of a unifier and bridge builder. However, I have advised the two groups to first sheath their sword and iron out their differences in order to come back as one body (HOSTCOM) to enable me formally accept what they have kindly requested, that is the NATIONAL GRAND PATRON of HOSTCOM.

Your Excellency, I have accepted to call a meeting of the two factions with the view of resolving their differences and unite them, so that there would be unity and sense of purpose.

I am confident that after the resolution there would be light at the end of the tunnel, so that a true leadership of HOSTCOM would emerge that will receive the funds accruing to HOSTCOM for the benefit of the entire people of the oil and gas producing communities in the Niger Delta region. I commend Mr. President for your commitment to the development of the Niger Delta Region.

Mr. President, I will not end my address without commending you for the fight against corruption and for curtailing the activities of Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East, as well as other notable achievements of your administration. However, much still needed to be done to guarantee security of lives and property of Nigerians.

Regarding matter of security, there are some security challenges in the state which I have discussed with His Excellency, Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, Edo State Governor that urgently requires Federal Government intervention.

The State Governor being the Chief Security Officer of the State, it behoves him to address the matter and seek Federal Government intervention if necessary and, I believe it will be necessary. May I, however use this opportunity to commend our state governor for his efforts in maintaining security and economic development in the state.

Let me once again welcome you all to Benin City, the Edo State capital, and I wish you all safe electioneering and a safe journey back to Abuja. May God and our Ancestors protect you all from harm’s way.

Long live Edo State,

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Thank you and God Bless.

OMO N’OBA EWUARE II

OBA OF BENIN