Where Does Our Most Cherished Oba Stand?

NEWS NUGGET - Presidential Election: No Controversy on Where Oba of Benin Stands ...Sons

Princes of Benin kingdom on Thursday said that it is a non issue to second-guess the political stand of the Oba of Benin over the March 28 Presidential Election.

Speaking on behalf of four princes of Benin Kingdom that visited Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, Prince Ada Erediauwa, one of the sons of the revered traditional ruler, said that the Oba need not to make public pronouncement on where he stands on the March 28th Presidential election; stressing that no matter what was said of the Benin Palace, It remains an institution.

Prince Ada Erediawa said that the Oba "does not have to necessarily say anything to get his message across."

He explained that the Oba had made his stand known since September when President Goodluck Jonathan visited Edo state.

He noted that his father who was not known for much talking made his mind known through the gift which he gave to the president.

He stressed that the gift was very symbolic and till date Jonathan remains the only political office seeker to have received such a gift as a red clothing material (ododo).

He explained that the ododo (red attire) is very symbolic in the Benin culture.

He therefore urged President Goodluck Jonathan not to bother himself on the issue.

In his earlier remark. Chief Edwin Clark had noted that there should be no room for controversy between the palace and the president.

Clark also denied the report making the rounds that the slot of Edo state was given to Stella Odua.

The Ijaw leader, who noted that he never supported her ministerial nomination at that time, said she came on board basically on the basis of the work and position she held at the 2011 presidential campaign team.

He further explained that Odua was nominated to represent Anambra state and not Edo as widely speculated.

THISDAY