Edo guber: Don’t campaign in my palace, Oba of Benin tells PDP chairman

The Oba of Benin, Oba Erediauwa yesterday received the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the July 14 governorship election in the state, Major General Charles Airhiavbere (retd) with a caution to the chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih not to campaign in his palace.

Orbih, who was at the palace of the Benin monarch to present the party’s candidate to him as well as seek his royal blessings as they kick off their campaigns ahead of the July 14 governorship election had told the Oba that the PDP dug deep to pick someone who, he said, ‘can provide services for the people’.
“We find him dependable. He has respect for our elders, tradition and a burning passion to serve. We are concerned about the high taxation and demolition of houses. This is not the dream of our state.”
At this stage, the Oba interjected and said, “I will not allow you to use my palace as a soap box.”

The governorship candidate, Airhiavbere, said Edo State needed rapid development and yearning for a change and requested for royal blessings from the Oba.
Responding, the Benin monarch said: “I started watching you on television. I will continue watching you on television.”

A top palace chief, Amos Osunbor, who prayed on behalf of the Benin monarch prayed that God should give the state a governor that would turn Benin City to a modern city and provide the necessary infrastructure for the people.

Later in an interview, Chief Dan Orbih said the party leadership and their governorship candidate did not go to the palace to seek the Oba’s endorsement, but to seek his blessings.