The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has refuted a claim made by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole that the monarch advised him against supporting the candidature of Governor Godwin Obaseki in 2016.
The denial occurred on Sunday when Oshiomhole, alongside All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders, visited the Benin palace after Senator Monday Okpebholo’s victory in the Edo governorship election.
During the visit, Oshiomhole, while kneeling before the Oba, apologized for what he described as a “poor judgement” in choosing Obaseki as his successor in 2016, despite what he claimed was the monarch’s advice against it. Oshiomhole stated: “I wrongly supported a man, thinking that being a Benin man, he would respect the traditions and customs of the Benin people.”
In response, the Oba corrected Oshiomhole’s statement, saying he never advised against Obaseki’s candidature. “When you brought Obaseki to me, I did not say anything against him. I want to avoid any issue with my son Akpakomisa (Okpebholo’s appellation), but I have to correct it. I never said anything negative about Obaseki when you introduced him to me,” the Oba clarified.
The monarch also mentioned that Oshiomhole’s deputy governor, Odubu, had once voted against a choice made by the Oba’s father, adding historical context to the conversation.
