Crisis Rocks Benin Palace Over Endorsement of PDP’s Ize-Iyamu

[caption id="attachment_11924" align="alignnone" width="699"]Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu[/caption]

All is not well in the palace of the Oba of Benin as the chiefs are at loggerheads over the endorsement of the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, for the September 28 governorship election by some chiefs.

The Egha Evbo’ Nore (town chiefs) had last week adopted the PDP candidate at the residence of the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion.

The Eson of Benin Kingdom, Chief Amos Osunbor, who prayed for Ize-Iyamu on behalf of others, had recalled the contributions of the governorship candidate’s father, the late Chief R. O.Ize-Iyamu, as a former Esogban of Benin.

Advertisement

Other chiefs present were the Odeobawu of Benin, Chief Douglas Usoh; the Uwayoba of Benin, Chief Solomon Ogbewe; and the Osagiobariase, Chief Jackson Amure.

But the Obazelu of Benin, Chief Osaro Idah, with some other chiefs has condemned the action, describing the endorsement as laughable with a warning to those involved not to drag the palace into partisan politics.

It is understood that the Obazelu is also the state secretary of the All Progressives Congress.

According to him, it was only the Iyase of Benin or the Esogban of Benin that can speak for the palace, alleging that the said endorsement came from card-carrying members of the PDP was out of place.

Advertisement

He disclosed that the impostor had been suspended from the palace, not as a chief but as a palace attendant.

Idah explained, “Arase has since been suspended from participating in palace activities; he wore palace dress and some beads in order to be seen as a chief. He started going from village to village to meet the elders to vote for the PDP.

“We have been looking for him to face the full wrath of the law because he is not a chief. I am the Obazelu of Benin Kingdom. I am qualified to know who is the Igiehon of Benin. I deal more with Igiehons.”

He added, “Once they are caught, the palace will mete out necessary sanctions. They are not chiefs. They have been hiding since we heard about their activities. Once we catch them, we will hand them over to the police.

“The palace will never call for support for any candidate. We always pray for the best to emerge. We are going to report to appropriate sections of the palace to look into such defaults.”

Leave a comment

Advertisement