Great Benin King, Oba Ewuare II, has condoled with families of unarmed protesters who lost their lives during the #EndSARS protests across Nigeria, especially at the Lekki toll gates and plaza in Lagos State.
Oba Ewuare delivered the condolence message when he received Nigeria’s Minister of State for Budget and Planning, Clement Agba in his palace in Benin during the week.
His Royal Majesty however commended the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, retired Major-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki for their prompt intervention and proactive engagement of youth leaders in the #EndSARS protest that has led to the destruction of property and death of some innocent Nigerians.
The Benin Monarch said their steps have calmed frayed nerves and heightened tensions, restoring peace and order to the nation.
The revered Monarch threw his weight behind calls for peace in the land, and urged the youths to exercise patience as the Presidency has heard their demands and would act on them accordingly.
Omo N’Oba reminded the youths that they have no other countries as their own if they destroy Nigeria with their own hands.
The Oba used the opportunity to express deep appreciation to the Federal Government for approving the construction of railway line through Benin City which he has envisaged would boost social-economic activities and also ease the means of transportations in Edo State and beyond.
The Minister of State for Budget and Planning, Mr. Clement Agba, said he was in the Oba’s palace in compliance with the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari who has asked all the members of the Federal Cabinet to return to their various states and hold broad consultations with the stakeholders and get their views and suggestions on the state of the nation.
His words: “I am here your Royal Majesty to also acquaint you on plans of the president to cushion the effects of hardship on the citizens particularly the youths through the various economic plans set up by him”.
He thanked the Monarch for granting him audience.
Meanwhile, the Minister also denied accusations by a group, Forum for Progressive Governance and Accountability (Forum4PGA), that he worked with the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, and other criminal elements, to sponsor hoodlums, who compromised the peaceful protests in the state and initiated a series of coordinated attacks to cause breakdown of law and order.
Earlier, a statement by its Secretary, Ohunyon Festus Egbenososa, said the group had it on good record that attempts to organize town hall and stakeholder meetings in Edo State in the wake of the #ENDSARS protests have been exposed to be a plot to conceal the ignoble deeds of Mr. Agba and his allies, noting that his actions in perpetuating preconceived violent attacks on innocent citizens was shameful and unpatriotic.
The group had warned the Minister to desist from attempting to solve a problem he caused with the instigation of violence by sponsoring thugs and fake news on social media towards hijacking the #ENDSARS protests in Edo State, which almost caused a breakdown of law and order.
But the Minister who frowned at what he called “gross irresponsibility by a faceless Group” said his hands are clean noting that he cannot be pursuing peace and terror together.
