The Oba of Benin, Omo n’Oba Erediauwa, has endorsed Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for a second term in office as Governor of Edo State, saying “one good tenure deserves another.”
The Oba gave his royal endorsement during the visit of Oshiomhole to him for his royal blessings towards his second term bid.
The Iyase of Benin, Chief Sam Igbe, who prayed for the governor on behalf of the Oba, said: “You had a good first term and a good term deserves another.
“Whatever you want, you will get because the Bini people are not ungrateful people.
“They will return you to complete all the development projects you are doing.
“You have made Benin beautiful and the Benin people will show their gratitude.”
The Esogban of Benin, Chief David Edebiri, who responded to the governor on behalf of the royal father, said: “You want to go into battle, you will return safely.
“Whatever the Oba has to say, he has said so many times.
“Some of us have spoken on behalf of the monarch several times.
“The Oba speaks through the Iyase and the palace chiefs.
“I was coming to the palace one day and I met a multitude of people and I asked, what is happening, they said the governorship candidate of the PDP is inside.
“I quickly told my driver to reverse the car, because I didn’t see the Iyase’s car and if I came to the palace, it would be my lot to pray for him and I didn’t want to pray for a candidate who will not pass.
“Adams Oshiomhole is the Benin candidate.
“He is the one who wants Benin City to join other modern cities in the country, so he is our candidate.
“Some people said the palace is playing politics. What is politics? The Oba himself is an embodiment of politics.
“If you have a house and you are old and your children did not come to paint the house and somebody from outside came and painted it and decorate it for you, will you leave that person? Once again, we are voting for Adams Oshiomhole.
“As the Odionwere of Bini Kingdom, and I am speaking on behalf of the Oba, you are going to win. The Oracle has spoken.
“Anyone who disputes it or fights against the oracle, then let him fight on, we will wait and see the result.”
On his part, the Obasogie of Benin Kingdom, Chief Eduwuiofo Ekhator-Obasogie, said what makes the palace happy is that the governor has a long-standing relationship with the palace.
According to him: “I will only chip in a few things to what the Esogban has said. What we are saying is that what the Governor is doing in Benin City and in Edo State, even the blind people are seeing it. We praise you sir.
“The Omo n’Oba has listened and heard what is happening in Edo State. Bini has 54 per cent of the population and you are doing so much here.
“We are very appreciative people and we will surely stand by you and stand with you to the end.”
The Oba, who crowned the visit up, said: “I was very delighted while watching my television to see the outcome of your party (ACN) primaries. We thank God for everything and may Allah be with you.”
Earlier, Oshiomhole had thanked the royal father for his support towards the success of his government.
According to him: “I came for two reasons: first to place on record my gratitude for your words of prayers and encouragement since I came on board as Governor of Edo State, just as you prayed for me, encouraged me and offered me advice while I was NLC President.
“The second is that in 2006, I had the privilege to come to the palace to inform you of my decision to contest and I recall your majesty made only one request: that I do something about Benin roads and the flooding problems in Benin City. It is now three years, four months since I assumed office, we have done something and we are doing something about Benin roads and we have done something and are doing something about the flooding in Benin City.”
The governor informed the Oba of the $225 million World Bank grant to the state, which was due to good governance and prudence of the state government.
He also told the royal majesty that already the World Bank is planning to give the state another $100 million grant due to facilitate and complete the ongoing Storm Water Masterplan.