RE: AN OPEN LETTER TO THE PALACE AND CAPTAIN HOSA OKUNBO BY CONCERNED EDO CITIZENS.

I am taken aback by the outburst by one Emmanuel Igiebor addressed to the Palace of His Royal Majesty the Oba of Benin and Captain Hosa Okunbo wherein he made wild allegations against His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin, the Revered seat of the throne of the Oba and Captain Hosa Okunbo, in an attempt to degrade His Royal Majesty by associating him with the event that occurred outside the palace gates when the Oba received the Edo State Governor and his entourage during their visit to him.

It is interesting to note that the throne of the Benin Kingdom at all times has been neutral and non partisan in Edo State or Nigerian Politics as His Royal Majesty is the Father of all and as such the Oba of Benin does not and will not involve in partisan politics as it is against the interest of the exalted throne which he occupies.

You will recall that in a visit to the Óba Palace by the National Chairman of the PDP wherein he requested that the Óba pray for the successful second tenure of Governor Godwin Obaseki, His Royal Majesty responded that prayers cannot be restricted to a particular political party, rather all the parties that visit the palace are evenly prayed for, while asking God almighty and our ancestors to choose the best person that is fit for the job. The Palace stopped praying for a particular candidate or political party when the Palace of the Óba of Benin was taken to court by the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbenedion on the allegation that the prayers offered to Chief Lucky Imasuen was more supportive than the prayers offered to Chief Lucky Igbenedion.

It is worthy of note to state that Captain Hosa Okunbo from the days of His Royal Majesty Oba Erediauwa has been a worthy son and a good friend of the palace who takes interest and delight in the progress of Edo State and has never at any time approached or tried to cajole or persuade the palace to support any particular candidate vying for any elective office.

Captain Hosa's friendship with the palace predates the present Óba and thus it was not surprising when Captain Hosa launched a book in honour of Oba Erediauwa titled: A Compendium of Speeches and Writings of Omo N'Oba N'Edo Erediauwa of Great Benin, edited by Osarhieme Benson Osadolor and published by Ibadan University Press 2013. Captain Hosa was the Chief launcher, while General Gowon and Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka were in attendance as Chairman and book reviewer respectively.

Furthermore, Capt. Hosa's relationship with the Palace was exhibited when he welcomed His Excellency, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to Benin City during his campaign in the company of Prince Ada, prince Ekpen, prince Osama and Prince Ehioze. After the outcome of that election which was favourable to PDP at the state but not at federal level, Capt. Hosa was advised by the then crown prince who by the grace of God Almighty and ancestors is now Oba Ewuare II to desist from partisan politics and since then till date, Captain Hosa as a friend and son of the Palace adhered.

It is common knowledge that in appreciation to the contributions of Captain Hosa Okunbo to the development of the Benin Kingdom and Edo State at large and his worthy character as a good son, His Royal Majesty Oba Erediawa bestowed on Captain Hosa the Ikele Beads on the 2nd of October, 2014 and Captain Hosa has continued to play a cardinal role in the upliftment of Edo State in general and Benin city in particular.

It is not news that during the coronation, the Oba's Palace received gifts from various persons and bodies, and even the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria thus the attempt to ridicule the palace with regards to gifts received from Captain Hosa is very sad. The question that ought to be asked is what did the Edo State Government do for the palace during the coronation?

I find it disturbing that someone would associate the long time cordial relationship between the Palace and Captain Hosa to the recent political development in Edo State.

Edo State is dear to all of us and we must strive as a people with common goal to protect our history, culture and institutions. Edo state is known for her peace and unity and this is what we should continue to strive for before, during and after the elections, hence we must desist from divisive utterances and actions inimical to these objectives.

Óba gha tór ókpere, Isé!!!

Dr. Osaze Otabor

Well said Sir. God bless you

Edo: Ize-Iyamu laments rejection by APC govs as 2023 torrents spill

The All Progressives Congress in Edo State has suspended the formal flag-off of its Governorship campaign indefinitely, following alleged refusal by 14 out of 18 Governors elected on the platform of the party (names withheld) to endorse a future that is shrouded in a dense fog of uncertainty as the Candidate of the party in the September 19, Governorship election in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu continue to struggle through a significant logjam in his most ambitious and dangerous political endeavour.

Investigation revealed that the Governors decision to distance themselves from the Pastor Ize-Iyamu Campaign borders on the the alleged failure to carryout the directive of Yobe Governor, Mai-Mala Buni and Chairman of APC Caretaker/extra-ordinary Convention Committee directive to the warring factions of the party in Edo State to fuse their party structure into the leadership of Bar. Anselm Ojezua as part of peace deal after the APC National Executive Council (NEC) sacked the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party led by its former Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole on June 25, 2020 after the crisis rocking the party attained its apex level ahead of the 2023 General election.

Speaking at a zoom meeting with sub-Coordinators of his Campaign recently, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, described attempt by the APC Governors to abandon him mid-way as distasteful and unfortunate.

A personal aide to Pastor Ize-Iyamu, hinted our Correspondent that his Principal almost broke down in tears while lamenting that he "is becoming home and dry as a result of the development.

“I am fully aware that about 14 APC Governors are not for us. The most worrisome aspect of it is that, they are neither hiding nor apologetic about why they are not supporting him".

According to the aide, the little that he (Ize-Iyamu) has achieved so far, is as a result of his one personal and the support of a popular Benin business Mongol and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

The source also quoted the Edo APC Governorship Candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, also blamed his travails on the national leader of APC, Mr Ahmed Bola Tinubu and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole over their unwillingness to reconcile with their formal allies including most of the APC northern Governors to have a change of heart and pave the way for the opposition party to full the gauntlet APC campaign as destructive trajectory created by preference of the 14 APC for the Candidate of the Peoples Democratic party in Edo State, Governor Godwin Obaseki, becomes glaring.

But Ize-Iyamu, according to the source, was however encouraged at the meeting not to concede defeat, despite the daunting challenges ahead of him including his inability to agree on a particular venue for the formal flag-off of his campaign.