Don’t Use My Name For Campaigns, Oba Of Benin Warns

Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolopolo, Oba Erediauwa of Benin has warned political parties and politicians to stop using his name for campaigns ahead of the Edo State July 14 governorship election.
In the last few weeks, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and some chiefs in the Benin Traditional Council had consistently said that the Oba had endorsed Governor Adams Oshiomhole for the coming governorship election.
But in a press statement signed last night by the secretary, the Benin Traditional Council, Mr. Frank Irabor, the respected Oba said that he had not endorsed anybody or political party.
The statement said, “It has come to the notice of the Benin Traditional Council and the palace that the name, pictures, imprimatur and effigy of Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolopolo, Oba Erediauwa are being freely used as signs of campaign by  political parties.
“The Benin Traditional Council wishes to stress that it is unacceptable for the political inclinations of any group of person to be ascribed to the Oba of Benin”.
The Oba, who restated the non-partisan position of the palace, added that, as father to all, he is for the individual or party that is expressly committed to the unity of the Edo people and the well-being of the state.