As though advancing a closing argument on the 2023 general election, the Oba of Benin, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, on Sunday, in Lagos, declared that it must have pleased God to ordain Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Nigeria’s president, if his difficult path to victory was anything to go by, including the many court cases that greeted his emergence.
The foremost custodian of the Benin tradition and culture, who further called on the Nigerian people to support the Tinubu administration as well as live in peace, also hailed the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for his giant strides in the state.
This was as Sanwo-Olu, in company with his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and other cabinet members, took the revered monarch on a tour of the Lagos Museum – the J. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, Onikan.
Speaking at the Lagos House, Marina, the Oba of Benin noted that Tinubu’s victory at the 2023 presidential poll and his eventual emergence as President showed that God ordained him to rule the country, hence the need for all Nigerians to support him to achieve the greater dream for Nigeria.
Harping on the need for peaceful coexistence in the country to achieve sustainable development in all areas of the nation’s economy, he said diversity was good for Nigeria and urged the people to iron out 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.”
Follow us on:
