By Newsmata
Reflecting on his travails during the eight years of the immediate past administration of Godwin Obaseki, the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, (HRM) Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare 11, on Thursday lamented how “the psyche of the people of Edo State was severely brutalised and traditional institution in the state was also undermined, insulted and almost destroyed”.
The Oba Ewuare 11 however noted with great relief that the victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo in the September 21, 2024, governorship election in the state, “was a divine answer to Edo people’s prayer for an end” to an administration that had “rendered the whole environment very toxic”.
The revered Benin monarch opined that “There seemed to have been a vengeance against Edo people for reasons better known to the perpetrators which virtually took over the governance of the state” before Okpebholo came into office.
Congratulating Governor Okpebholo on his first 100 days in office, the royal father applauded his developmental strides in just 100 days in office.
In the congratulatory message signed by Chief Stanley Osamwonyi, the Esere of Benin Kingdom and made available to journalists in Benin City, Oba Ewuare 11 said without any iota of doubt, Okpebholo’s victory at the polls was a watershed in the electoral history of the state.
Noting that disrespect and disregard for the rule of law was the order of the day during the previous administration, the Oba said prior to Governor Okpebholo’s inauguration, the traditional institution in the state which formed a supportive part of governance “had been subjected to the most avoidable meddlesomeness which was a calculated attempt to destroy the entire fabric of the institution”.
Enumerating Obaseki’s malfeasance, Oba Ewuare 11 posited that “the orchestrated design” was undertaken in several ways including: through the unwarranted attempt to appropriate ancient ancestral artefacts which belong to the Oba of Benin, as well as through an unlawful move to create traditional councils in Edo South in total disregard for the established customary laws of the Benin people as duly declared in the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Laws of the State.
Other means, he said, were through the denial of statutory entitlements to the Benin Traditional Council, among other unfortunate actions and, through the revocation of the concession of Oba Akenzua 11 Cultural Centre which was concessioned to Oba Ewuare 11 and the clandestine attempt to annex part of it and add to the Central Hospital Grounds which was demolished to make way for a private museum called MOWAA.
Appreciating the governor for the succour his administration had brought to the Palace, the Oba said, “To the glory of God Almighty and our ancestors, on your inauguration as governor, your Excellency immediately reversed these unlawful, wicked and inappropriate actions, thus putting an end to the schism between the Benin traditional institution and the state government.
“For these statesmanlike acts of lawfulness, and respect for the traditional institution of the Benin people and Edo State as a whole, history will remember your Excellency in glory”. Oba Ewuare 11 observed that in the last 100 days of his administration, Governor Okpebholo, had demonstrated his commitment in partnering and respecting the traditional institutions in the state towards engendering a more robust institutional collaboration for peace and development.
“Remarkably, are the unprecedented steps your administration is taking to construct long-lasting infrastructure across the state, particularly the construction of three flyovers in Benin City, the state capital.
“It is also on record that a number of roads and schools and the health sector across the state are receiving the attention of your administration just within a short space of three months in office.
“Your Excellency, as a foremost traditional ruler and chairman of the Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, it is our earnest prayers that Almighty God and our ancestors will guide and protect you and your administration to be able to improve the economy and transform the lives of Edo people in general.
“Be assured that our prayers and support are always with you and members of your administration and family in the quest to make Edo better. I am confident that with your Excellency’s great display of good faith, compassion and determination to right the wrongs of the past and uplift the well-being of the good people of Edo State, your administration shall be a resounding success.
“It is my earnest prayers that God Almighty and our ancestors shall continue to grant you good health, wisdom and unfailing energy to successfully govern the state and achieve all your aspirations as governor”, the statement concluded.