…condemns attack on governor, guests, desecration of Oba’s palace
…to sanction persons using family name for pecuniary gain
The Obaseki family has endorsed the reelection bid of Governor Godwin Obaseki, urging members of the family worldwide, to support the governor.
Giving the endorsement on Wednesday in Benin City, the Edo State capital, Oyuki Jackson-Obaseki Jnr., who communicated the family’s position at a press conference, said: “We the Obaseki family of Benin are here today to endorse our son, Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki for a second term in office.
“We call on all members of the Obaseki family worldwide to support our son and brother, Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, in his reelection bid to enable him complete the good work he has started.
“As we say in Edo, Oghomwan gha ra ro otien, airi ikanaban, (a Benin proverb) which means we cannot have ripe cherries in our compound and opt for unripe ones for consumption.”
He noted that: “As Governor in the last three years and eight months, the governor has done our family and all Edo people proud by addressing key developmental issues that have changed the face of governance in the state.
“We feel very proud each time we hear accounts of how he has transformed public education in the state and how he is putting smiles on the faces of workers, pensioners and those in their private businesses, who are now free from all forms of harassment and intimidation from thugs.
“We condemn efforts by anyone to create division in our family for some cheap pecuniary gain, and we have agreed on sanctions for such persons who used our respected family name to curry favour and endorsed the APC candidate on our supposed behalf.”
Jackson-Obaseki Jnr. emphasised that “These persons do not have the authority of the Obaseki family worldwide to endorse anyone on our behalf and do not represent us in any capacity whatsoever,” and advised “political actors to eschew extreme measures in the ongoing electioneering campaigns.”
The family stressed: “We condemn in very harsh words the desecration of the palace of our Royal Father, Omo N’ Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, and the attack on our son and his guests by sponsored thugs.”
According to the Obaseki family, “Politics is not new to us in Edo, but never have we had such irresponsible and reprehensible action by anyone in the past. The action clearly amounts to the desecration of our Royal Palace and an attack on constituted authority.
“We urge the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies to rise to the occasion and deliver a free, fair, credible and violence-free gubernatorial election come September 19, in Edo State.”
Other members of the Obaseki family that attended the press conference are: Engr. Joseph O. Obaseki; Omogiade Obaseki; Princess Queen Obaseki; Col. Victor Obaseki, Mrs Akhigbe nee Obaseki; Hon. Oghobaghase, nee Obaseki; Engr. Daniel Obaseki; Hon. Best Okposisi; Hon. Lizzy Abai, nee Obaseki; Ivie Obaseki Takon.
