Edo 2016: Traditional rulers and politics of endorsement

As the September 10 Governorship Election in Edo
State approaches, most traditional rulers in the state
have delved into the muddy waters of partisan politics
by endorsing candidates of the two major political
parties, writes Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia in Benin
city.
IN Edo State where the gubernatorial election is
scheduled to hold on September 10, 2016, traditional
rulers in the state have abandoned their role as
custodians of the people’s custom and tradition to
swim in the murky waters of partisan politics.
They are either overtly or covertly backing the
candidates of the two major political parties in the
state the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and
the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
According to findings by our reporter, these
traditional rulers-turned politicians are quick to
justify their new found role on the altar of either
serving under a benevolent or discriminatory
government.
For instance, traditional rulers under the beck and
call of Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the APC gubernatorial
candidate, explained their endorsement of his
candidature on the basis of his family background,
and the developmental strides of the APC-led
administration in the state.
But those rooting for the PDP governorship candidate,
Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, loudly complain about the
neglect of their areas by the current administration in
the state led by Governor Adams Oshiomhole. They
concluded that with Ize-Iyamu on the saddle, their
various communities would instantly become an El Do­
rado.
The only exception to this rash of endorsements is
the Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom, His Royal
Highness, Ehenede Erediauwa, who had earlier wished
both candidates well in their struggle to become the
next governor of the state.
At least, 28 traditional rulers in Edo Central Senatorial
district have so far endorsed the candidacy of Ize-
Iyamu. In doing so, the monarchs expressed
displeasure over the removal of Hon. Victor Edoror, as
Speaker of the State House of the Assembly, as well
as the continued marginalisation of Esan land in
terms of development. Edoror hails from Edo Central
Senatorial District.
At the endorsement of the PDP candidate, which
took place at the palace of the Ojuromi of Uromi, HRM
Anslem Eidenojie, the traditional rulers generally said
that the ‘sustained marginalisation of Esanland and
her people in a state that belong to all of us is
unbearable.”
In their separate remarks, HRM Aidenojie Ehidiamen of
Opoji, and HRM Izuware of Ujiogba, appealed to
Pastor Ize-Iyamu to correct the inequitable
distribution of dividends of democracy in the state on
assumption of office in November 2016.
The endorsement of the PDP candidate by traditional
rulers in Esan land, goes beyond the alleged
marginalisation of area by previous administrations in
the state. Ize-Iyamu’s family background might have
influenced the blessing he got from the royal fathers.
“We know you (Ize-Iyamu) very well. You are a man,
who has direct relationship with virtually all the Enijie
(traditional rulers) in Esanland. You are a son of the
former Esogban of Benin Kingdom. You are a son of
tradition. Your father served in the Palace without
blemish. He did not betray the palace.
“We, the Enijie in Esanland believe that if we give you
our support, you will not betray us. We want to say
that Esan nation is part and parcel of this state. We
know how much we have been relegated in our own
state, and we are very unhappy about it,” said the
Ojuromi of Uromi.
Furthermore, the Ojuromi of Uromi, profusely praised
Ize-Iyamu for picking his running mate from Esanland,
describing the act as a ‘wise decision.’
“Our saying thank you will not just be by word of
mouth, we will use our voters’ card to practicalise our
thank you,” he remarked.
Nevertheless, there was a twist in the tale. Barely 24
hours after the traditional rulers in Esanland gave Ize-
Iyamu a nod, the Onojie of Opoji, denied having a
hand in the endorsement of any governorship
candidate for the September 10 election.
He explained that he, alongside other monarchs, was
invited to listen to what the PDP candidate had to
say when his campaign train screeched to a halt in
the area, and were not told that the business of the
day included an endorsement of the party’s
governorship candidate.
“I told the PDP people that action speaks louder than
voice. I also demanded to know if what the PDP
candidate promised to do for us if elected into office
will be better than what the current APC government
in the state had so far done for us,” said the Onojie of
Opoji.
Meanwhile, the Ojuromi appears to have spoken from
both sides of his mouth. When the APC campaign
team, led by the State Governor, Comrade Adams
Oshiomhole, visited the Ojuromi’s palace, the
monarch said he was impressed with the governor’s
performance in less than eight years of his
administration.
However, he stopped short of calling the Onojie of
Opojie a liar. He revealed that money was shared at
different meetings between the traditional rulers and
the PDP candidate, saying that the Opojie king got a
fair share of the PDP largesse.
He also alleged that the Opojie serves as the middle­
man between Ize-Iyamu and the monarchs in Esan
land.
The Nation can authoritatively report that 23
traditional rulers from six local government areas of
Edo North Senatorial District have so far endorsed the
candidature of Obaseki, the APC governorship
candidate. That is not all. The traditional rulers
reportedly made fabulous donation to the Obaseki
Campaign Organization.
Not a few doubt whether the money came from the
coffers of traditional rulers since many of them utterly
depend on the monthly stipends from the state
government.
Speaking in Auchi, the Otaru of Auchi, His Royal
Highness, Alhaji Aliru H. Momoh, Ikelebe III, said their
preference of Obaseki to Ize-Iyamu, stemmed from his
(Obaseki) accomplishments while serving in
Oshiomhole’s administration.
“I want to say that Edo State traditional rulers have
further committed themselves to this campaign by
saying that whatever money you gave to traditional
rulers during meetings of this nature at various
locations we are donating such monies to your
campaign.
“What is destined by Almighty God, nobody can alter
it. Nobody can violate it; nobody can overtake it. So,
we are happy to make that statement today because
there is no doubt about the fact that the one who is
propelling you and giving you to Edo State is a man
that God has chosen for that assignment. And
because of that, we are assuring you that we will
continue to pray for your success in this exercise,”
said the Otaru.
On their part, the Okuokpelagbe of Okpella, HRH
Yesufu Dirisu and the Olokpe of Okpe, Oba Idogun of
Okpe, noted that traditional rulers in the area decided
to stand on the path of development which was
started by Oshiomhole seven and eight years ago,
and prayed God to grant Obaseki success in the poll.
According to the ruler of Okpella: “It is not flattery to
let you know that all traditional rulers, both openly,
jointly and in their private rooms are praying for you
because of what you have done for us; what you have
done for the state, what God has made you do for Edo
State, and in fact Nigeria.”
At Uhunwonde Local Government Area in Edo South
Senatorial District, 25 Enogies’ who endorsed Obaseki,
later presented him with white chalk, symbolising
victory.
The Enogie (traditional rulers) of Ogiomo, Iguoboe,
Emo, Ogha, Erua, Osemwinda, Obadan, Ugoneki and
others who said they are yet to fully attain their full
potentials, blessed Obaseki and his running mate,
Hon. Philip Shaibu, prophesying that they will emerge
victorious in the September 10 poll.
Speaking on the endorsements, President of the Elite
Consolidative Forum, Comrade Israel Amadin noted
that though it is the fundamental right of the
monarchs to support a particular candidate, it must
be geared towards a developmental end for the
benefit of the people.
“That the traditional rulers are endorsing a candidate
is not the issue, but what they have in mind for
endorsing them.
“We have seen where traditional rulers are neglected
and not cared for, but if we have a candidate who is
sincere and has pledged to take development to the
grassroots, it should be expected that such candidate
should be supported.
“Before Comrade Oshiomhole came, traditional rulers
were not as vocal as they are now. They are vocal
today because they have been carried along in the
affairs of the state.
“They are now seen as part of good governance and
not just the custodian of a particular tradition. What
should be appreciated is the fact that these
traditional rulers are concerned about the
development of their people.
“Well, I know a lot of people would think they should
be apolitical, but when being apolitical as the case
may be, doesn’t bring development or progress to the
state, they also share part of the blame.
“So for me, though they should be apolitical, they
have the right to express their feelings because it is
all about developing the state and traditional rulers
must work with government in that aspect.”