During a visit to the Benin palace after the APC’s triumph in the recent gubernatorial election, former Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, claimed that the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, had cautioned against Governor Godwin Obaseki’s candidacy in 2016.
Addressing the monarch and kneeling before him, Oshiomhole expressed regret, saying, “Your Royal Majesty, I would like to apologise for my poor judgement. Despite your advice, I supported Obaseki, believing that as a Benin man, he would respect our traditions. I now realise it was a mistake.”
In a prompt reply, the Oba contradicted Oshiomhole’s assertion, affirming that he never advised against Obaseki’s candidacy.
The monarch stated, “When you brought Obaseki to me, I did not say anything against him. I want to correct that. I didn’t advise against him when you presented him.”
He also indicated Elemah, a former chairman of the Edo State Board of Internal Revenue and a close confidant of Oshiomhole, as a witness to the interaction.
Oba remarked, “You will recall, this one is your witness when you brought Obaseki to introduce him to me.”
The interaction, which occurred in the company of prominent individuals like Senate President Godswill Akpabio and APC leader Senator Okpebholo, introduced a surprising element to the festive mood following the APC’s electoral success.
