By Favour Percy -Idubor, Benin
As the clock ticks towards the general elections rescheduled for Saturday February 23, 2019, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin has cautioned youths against being used as thugs by politicians to disrupt the electoral process
The Oba also called all eligible voters to come out en mass and vote for candidates of their choice.
His Royal Majesty made this call on Thursday in a press statement made available to newsmen in Benin City by his Chief Press secretary, Mr. Desmond Agbama.
He charged the masses not to be discouraged by the postponement, adding that they should renew their hope and zeal to participate in the exercise, which is their civic responsibility to the nation.
The Benin Monarch advised the electorate to vote wisely and should not allow any primordial sentiments to becloud their sense of judgment.
The Oba of Benin stressed the need for the security agencies to be neutral while providing security on election day and to refrain from intimidation and harassment of voters.
Oba Ewuare II says “at this critical moment in the nation’s political journey, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must prove itself as an unbias electoral umpire in the conduct of the 2019 general election”
“The Benin Crown remains non-partisan, hence a level playing ground was provided for all politicians to campaign and canvass for vote irrespective of political parties.
“I however pray to God and the ancestors for a peaceful, free and fair 2019 general elections,” Oba said.
