The Oba of Benin, Om n’Oba Erediauwa, yesterday shunned the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) delegation which paid a courtesy visit to him in his palace.
The Oba who normally receives visitors to his palace personally yesterday asked the Iyase of Benin, Chief Sam Igbe to receive the delegation on his behalf while he stayed in his inner chambers.
In his prayers, the Iyase said “our son, the president came on a courtesy visit and after his visit, he should have a safe journey home.”
The President was thereafter asked to proceed alone to the inner chambers to see the Oba while others, including the PDP Candidate, Maj-Gen Charles Aihiavbere (rtd), were asked to vacate the palace hall.
It will be recalled that the Oba had at various times thrown his weight behind the candidature of Governor Adams Oshiomhole who was declared as the Benin candidate by the palace.
The Esogban of Benin, Chief David Edebiri while speaking on behalf of the Oba during a visit of Governor Oshiomhole to the palace, with the Oba in attendance had said: “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.”
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