The Benin Throne is Non-Partisan, But We See No Point Changing Government Just For The Sake of Change — Oba of Benin Ewuare II, Backs President Tinubu’s Second-Term Bid
The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Oba Ewuare II, has backed President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid, saying there was no need for change if a leader was performing well.
The monarch spoke when Senator Abdulaziz Yari led members of the Presidential Campaign Council to the Benin Palace to seek royal blessings and support for Tinubu’s re-election.
While stressing that the Benin throne remained neutral, Oba Ewuare said: “The Benin throne is non-partisan. Having said that, the Benin throne does not see any need to change for the sake of change. If one is going to see the leader, the head doing well, why change for the sake of change?”
The Oba, who said he was not a Christian but sometimes quoted from the Bible and the Quran, cited the words of Jesus Christ, saying: “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”
Explaining why he used the quote, the monarch said there had been “so much talk, so much criticism,” adding that many people aspired to become president, governor and hold other offices.
Recalling a private conversation with an unnamed politician, he said: “I suggested to a politician that why not join hands with the president to make a success of what he’s going to do, of what he’s doing.”
The monarch also appealed for cooperation across political lines.
“In democracy there will always be opposition. Once a party comes to power, automatically it will come with opposition party. So it’s natural. But at the same time, I don’t see why the opposition party cannot just simply help the party or the ruler or the president,” he said.
Oba Ewuare added that he preferred “peace and tranquillity” over conflict, noting that he underwent conflict-resolution training during his diplomatic career.
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