Jonathan’s endorsement divides Benin chiefs

Ahead of the March 28 presidential election, some prominent Benin palace chiefs on Tuesday disagreed on the endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan as the preferred candidate of the Binis, the largest tribe in Edo State.

President Jonathan had, during his presidential campaign in Benin on February 4‎, said the state had benefited from his transformation agenda, in the areas of roads and education.

But the Esogban of Benin Kingdom and highly respected chief in the state,‎ Chief David Edebiri, refuted the claim of the president, adding that the people would not vote for him, even if the elections were shifted severally.

Chief Edebiri, who is also the Chairman of the Benin Forum, accused Presi‎dent Jonathan of starving the state of funds and stripping a former Minister of Works, Chief Chris Ogiemwonyi, of his ministerial appointment.

‎He said, “The same Federal government is starving the state government of funds. They don’t want the government to perform any more for us. How do we vote for people like that? The die is cast, whether they like it or not the defeat of the present Federal Government is imminent and irreversible.”

Reacting, however, the Eson of Benin Kingdom, Chief Amos Osunbor, described Chief Edebiri’s statement as “vexatious,” adding that ‎the palace should not be dragged into partisan politics for personal aspiration.

‎Chief Osunbor, who is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, stated that the palace had expressed its desire for the re-election of President Jonathan to enable him “complete the transformation.”

While addressing journalists in Benin, he said, “I wish to profoundly state categorically that Omo N’Edo Uku Akpolopkolo, through our revered Crown Prince, Ehenede, had already expressed his desire to have President Goodluck Jonathan serve a second term, to enable him complete the transformation that he has already started.

“Every Nigerian witnessed the epoch royal visit. I am, therefore,‎ wondering about the intention of Chief Edebiri, because his latest
comments ordinarily amount to an affront on His Royal Majesty. No one else, except the Monarch, has right to speak for the Binis‎.”