Edo 2024: Elders criticize LP supporters for insulting Oba of Benin

A group of Edo state elders have strongly condemned what they called “a series of unwarranted insults and abuse” by supporters of the Labor Party and its gubernatorial candidate, Olumide Akpata , against King Oba Ewuare II, alias Oba of Benin.

Elders working under the auspices of the Edo Social and Cultural Promotion and Good Governance Initiative have expressed shock and disappointment on various social media platforms over what they considered as “childish, unfair and unacceptable behavior” by some members of the Labor Party.

Newspaper Pledge recalls that LP 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi and Akpata paid a courtesy visit to Oba Palace on Saturday, shortly after the party inaugurated its campaign office ahead of the governorship election from September 21 .
During his visit, Akpata sought support from the traditional ruler and repeatedly referred to himself as “son of the palace” in English and local dialect.
However, Oba Ewuare II later denied the allegation. According to a viral video, the Oba quickly denied his claim, saying he asked one of his superiors to verify Akpata’s claim and found that the candidate had no connection any direct or distant connection to the palace.

The development did not go down well with some supporters of the LP governorship candidate, some of whom verbally attacked the Oba on various social media platforms.

But in a press statement issued by DAILY POST on Tuesday, the spokesman of the council of elders, Comrade Melvin Irabor, said the Oba’s correction of Akpata’s assertion that he was a “son of the palace” there is nothing wrong. . .

“It is no wonder that our Oba criticized the false comments and insinuations of the Labor Party attorney general candidate, Mr. Olumide Akpata, who claims to be a “son of the palace,” Irabor said.

He noted that a “storm of insults” had descended on the honorable Oba of Benin from Akpata’s supporters on platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. Irabor read some “unfortunate comments”, including those from users who called the Oba a “useless leader” and others who said the Oba would give him a “warm welcome” while Akpata ” must have enough money to leave Ghana . and I will take it.

The group emphasized that the Oba of Benin, as “spokesman of the gods and revered royal father of the kingdom”, has the responsibility to maintain non-political and correct candidates, who who made “false statements and insinuations.”

“All the candidates contesting this election have the support and blessings of our Oba. He is everyone’s father and he wishes them luck,” Irabor explained.

The elders warned Labor Party supporters not to insult the Oba as such action would be considered “an insult to the palace”.