As if advancing a closing argument on the 2023 general election, the Oba of Benin, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, declared on Sunday in Lagos that it must have pleased God to ordain Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Nigeria’s president, if his difficult path to victory, including the numerous court cases that greeted his emergence, was anything to go by.
The foremost keeper of Benin tradition and culture, who also urged Nigerians to support the Tinubu administration and live in peace, also praised Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for his giant advances in the state.
This was during a tour of the Lagos Museum – the J. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, Onikan, led by Sanwo-Olu, his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and other cabinet members.
The Oba of Benin stated at the Lagos House, Marina, that Tinubu’s win in the 2023 presidential election and subsequent emergence as President demonstrated that God ordained him to rule the country, emphasizing the necessity for all Nigerians to support him in achieving the bigger dream for Nigeria.
He emphasized the importance of peaceful cohabitation in the country in order to achieve sustained growth in all sectors of the economy. He asked Nigerians to put aside their differences and live as a family in peace, unity, and harmony with one another.
“God has ordained that Tinubu would become President of Nigeria. We are all one. I am for peace and tranquility. We must live together as one. Nigeria is big. We must iron out our differences and learn to live together as one, big family,” he said.
The Oba of Benin, who congratulated Sanwo-Olu on his reelection and commended his giant strides, however, charged him not to rest on his oars but do more to achieve greater heights in his second term in office.
Sanwo-Olu, while speaking, assured the monarch that the state would continue to be home to everyone irrespective of ethnic, religious or political affiliations.
Eulogising the Oba of Benin for distinguishing himself among the traditional rulers, he said his protection of culture and promotion of traditional values, have earned him maximum respect across the country.
While conveying Tinubu’s greetings to the monarch, he urged the traditional ruler to continue his support for the present federal government to ensure citizens benefit from the dividends of democracy, which he noted were becoming evident in the third quarter of the year with a rise in the country’s GDP.
“On behalf of Mr. President, we want to thank you for your fatherly role, for your prayers and best wishes to the government and I am sure he will not disappoint you.
“He will do everything possible to ensure that he delivers the real dividends of democracy that will help our country to reduce the poverty in the land, give us a new set of hope and redefine social economic development.”