Benin crown prince promises neutrality of palace

Governor of the All Progressives Congress (APC) met in Benin City, Edo State capital on Wednesday, to brainstorm on the upcoming party primary and governorship election scheduled to hold in September.

Among governors who attended the crucial meting were, Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and Simon Lalung of Plateau State.

The strategic meeting, which lasted till yesterday morning it was gathered, was to smoothen recent rough edges between the state governor, Adams Oshiomhole and his deputy, Pius Odubu over their political differences.

The meeting was aimed at ensuring that all parties remain together after the primaries, in order to face the expected massive opposition from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

It would be recalled that PDP governors in the south south recently met in Delta State, where they vowed to ensure the party wins the September 10 governorship election.

The visiting governors later paid a condolence visit to the Crown Prince Edaiken N’Uselu, Ehenden Erediauwa, over the death of the Oba of Benin.

The crown prince, who pledged the neutrality of the palace, promised to continue to pray for the peace, unity, growth and development of the polity and her citizenry.

He reiterated the resolve of the ancient stool not to dabble into political partisanship, but to follow the path of peaceful and corporate existence of all people and government at both states and national levels.

He said the revered stool has kept faith with the legacies of late Oba Erediauwa, a feat he said has continued to reverberate since over 800 years of the kingdom.

Speaking to journalists shortly after the visit, Aregbesola expressed confidence that the nation is capable of weathering all storms.
“We are in the state to mobilise the party members and prepare them for the forthcoming election, saying, “Election period is a period of bragging, we accept the PDP boast, but we want them to know that as usual they will be defeated,” he added.

Meanwhile, all appear set for today’s stakeholders meeting of APC leaders, elders and executive members from the South south geo-political zone in Benin the state capital.