‘Let’s not seek change for sake of change,’ Oba of Benin backs continuity

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Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare II (middle) and members of the Presidential Campaign Council led by its Director-General, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, during the courtesy visit to the Palace of the Oba of Benin on Tuesday.

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By Ozioruva Aliu

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BENIN CITY — The Oba of Benin, His Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, on Tuesday urged opposition parties in Nigeria not to be extremely critical of the ruling party, but to play their role as opposition for the betterment of the country.

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The Benin monarch also urged Nigerians to support continuity in governance and not seek change just for the sake of change.

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The monarch spoke on Tuesday when the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Abdulaziz Yari, led members of the council to the Benin Palace to seek royal blessings, prayers and support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

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Oba Ewuare II said the Benin throne was not partisan, adding that his position should not be interpreted as support for any political party.

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“The Benin throne is not partisan. There is no point for change for the sake of change. That is not to say that I belong to one party or the other.

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“Is there anybody who is as perfect as I am talking now? Nobody. I love and like peace and tranquillity. I am American and British trained as a diplomat, and I say it the way it is,” he said.

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Oba Ewuare II also appealed to former governors, senators and other political leaders to work together in the interest of the country, stressing the importance of cooperation between the ruling party and the opposition.

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“In democracy there must be opposition when a party comes to power. I don’t see why an opposition party can’t support the ruling party,” he said.

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Earlier, Yari said the mission of the council to the palace was to seek royal blessings, prayers and support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu, whom he described as the monarch’s son.

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The former Zamfara State governor said the Tinubu administration had made progress in the economy, citing changes in GDP growth, inflation and foreign exchange stability.

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Yari said Nigeria’s annual GDP growth had risen from 2.7 per cent in 2023 to 3.9 per cent, while inflation had declined from 22.9 per cent to 15.9 per cent.

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He added that the administration had stabilised the foreign exchange market and described Tinubu as the right person to lead the country.

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Also, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, who stood in for Governor Monday Okpebholo, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa, thanked the Oba of Benin for his royal blessings, noting that the President deserved a second term and that Southern Nigeria also deserved a second term.

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“For us in Edo State, Governor Monday Okpebholo is the leader and he is leading well as we have a lot of projects to campaign with and the people of Edo State will vote massively for President Tinubu to enable him win the 2027 Presidential election”.

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In Yari’s entourage were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume; former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; former Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari; and former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff.

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Also in the delegation were former President of the Senate, Pius Ayim; Hon. James Faleke; Sunday Sunday Dare; Abdul’malik Zubairu; Prof. Joseph Terlumun; Professor Ussiju Medaner Al-Mustapha; Lawal Funtua; Lawal M. Liman; Muhammad Gololo; and Nasiruddeen Abdul’aziz Yari.

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