Oba of Benin expresses concern over NASS crisis

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

The Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare II, has expressed disappointment over the leadership crises rocking the National Assembly, particularly the Senate.
The monarch said this when a former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, paid him a courtesy visit at his palace on Tuesday in Benin City, Edo State.
Oba Ewuare II charged the warring parties to sheath their sword for the sake of one indivisible Nigeria and good governance.
He tasked elected leaders and those aspiring to lead the country to make security, which he said had been a matter of serious concern to him, their priority.
He noted that the Benin monarchy will continue to be apolitical irrespective of any prevailing circumstances, adding that he does not take decision without consulting his ancestors for guidance.
“I am not happy with what is happening in our legislature, particularly in the Senate. We must do our best to keep Nigeria one.
“We have what it takes to make Nigeria one of the greatest countries in this part of the globe”, he said.
The Presidential aspirant of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 general election had told the Oba of Benin that he came to ask for royal blessings.
He revealed that he has “a very sentimental and emotional attachment to the palace”, which began during his sojourn in the military.
Earlier in his remarks, the former Governor of Ogun State and the Director General of Atiku Abubakar 2019 Campaign Organization, Otumba Gbenga Daniel, described the visit to the traditional ruler as historic.
“We are not unaware that when you (Oba of Benin) speak, you speak the mind of the ancestors. There is no gain saying that the culture of the Benin Kingdom is second to none”, he said.
The traditional Prime Minister (Iyase) of Benin, offered prayers on behalf of the royal father.
Our Correspondent reports that Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, Senator Abdul Ningi, a former Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Bright Omokhoion and Otumba Gbenga Daniel, were among PDP stalwarts that accompanied the 2019 PDP presidential hopeful on the visit.