Edo APC primaries: Oba of Benin receives Ogbeide-Ihama, prays for peace

Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare II, on Thursday received the former House of Representatives member, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, at his palace in Benin, where he offered prayers for his political aspiration and urged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State to embrace peace and unity.

Ogbeide-Ihama, who secured the highest votes in the recently conducted APC National Assembly primary election for Edo South Senatorial District, was presented to the monarch by a high-powered delegation of party leaders led by Edo State Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa.

Also in the delegation were former Deputy Governor Pius Odubu, APC State Chairman Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, former Senator Matthew Urhoghide, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (rtd), Lucky Imasuen, Lawrence Okah, Charity Aimanyanvbo, Felix Osazee Igbinovia, and Paddy Iyamu.

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Speaking on behalf of the group, Odubu informed the Oba that Ogbeide-Ihama emerged with the highest votes in the exercise conducted by the party and was subsequently issued a result sheet by the electoral officer, Mohammed Ajana.

He said the visit was aimed at formally acquainting the monarch with the outcome of the primary election and seeking his fatherly blessings as the political process progresses.

Addressing the palace gathering, Ogbeide-Ihama maintained that the primary election was conducted in line with the constitution, guidelines, and procedures of the APC, adding that party members freely exercised their franchise during the exercise.

The former federal lawmaker thereafter presented the result sheet issued to him to the monarch, describing Oba Ewuare II as a father figure whose blessings would be invaluable to his political journey.

The gesture attracted applause from palace chiefs and other dignitaries present.

Speaking after the presentation, Ogbeide-Ihama said the visit afforded him the opportunity to formally show the monarch the result declared by the committee sent by the APC National Headquarters to conduct the primary election.

He said: “Today, the party leadership at the state level formally presented me to my father, our father, His Royal Majesty. It also provided me the opportunity to show him the result as declared by the committee sent by the National Headquarters to conduct the primary.

“I showed my father the result and he took a look at it. What we await now is the same process being awaited by aspirants across the 109 senatorial districts of the country, which is usually concluded at the National Headquarters of the party.”

In a moment that lightened the atmosphere, the Oba jokingly asked whether the result sheet displayed before him was generated through Artificial Intelligence (AI), drawing laughter from palace chiefs and members of the delegation.

APC Chairman, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, and former Deputy Governor Lucky Imasuen quickly responded in the negative, affirming the authenticity of the document.

The monarch thanked the visitors for the courtesy call and urged politicians and their supporters to conduct their activities peacefully, stressing that violence should have no place in the state’s political landscape.

Oba Ewuare II also appealed to aggrieved members of the APC to embrace reconciliation and work together for the progress of Edo South Senatorial District and Edo State, noting that peace and unity remain indispensable to development.

The monarch further emphasized that there is a time for everything and that God’s time remains the best, urging political actors to remain patient and trust in divine providence.

Recalling his long-standing relationship with Ogbeide-Ihama and his family, Oba Ewuare II noted that they were well known to the palace. He thereafter prayed for the aspirant and directed palace chiefs to also remember him in their prayers as he pursues his political ambition.

Addressing journalists shortly after the visit, APC State Chairman, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, said the presentation of Ogbeide-Ihama to the Oba was in line with the party’s respect for tradition and the revered Benin monarchy.

According to him, the party successfully conducted its House of Representatives, Senate, and House of Assembly primaries last week and considered it necessary to present the Edo South senatorial aspirant who emerged with the highest votes to the monarch for royal blessings.

“As a party that believes in tradition and respects royalty, we have come to present the aspirant who emerged with the highest votes in the Edo South Senatorial primary election to the palace for royal blessings.

“We believe the royal institution unites the entire Edo State and that the prayers and blessings of the Oba will continue to guide him in his political journey,” Tenebe said.

He added that the visit underscored the APC’s commitment to preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Benin Kingdom while strengthening the relationship between political leadership and traditional institutions in Edo State.