By: Nwakaji Peace Martins
The Director of Media for the APC/Okpebholo Campaign Council, Prince Kassim Afegbua, has cautioned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against distorting the image of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
Afegbua accused the pro-Obaseki faction of attempting to involve the Oba of Benin in the discussion.
“Following the overwhelming support that the APC candidate received during the Town Hall meeting in the United States, the PDP’s propaganda team hurried to spread a different narrative from what the APC candidate communicated at the event. Nowhere did the APC candidate speak of our esteemed Oba of Benin in a derogatory manner or use the term ‘distraction.’ His message to the distinguished audience was that the governor, Godwin Obaseki, should not interfere with the affairs of our traditional rulers and that Obaseki’s actions were aimed at demeaning the revered Oba of Benin and the Benin Palace as an esteemed institution.
“Before the era of modern governance, traditional institutions served as the foundation of governance and administration in many Nigerian communities. The Benin Empire, in fact, held more territory and influence than the current Edo State. Any governor with a sincere understanding of traditional institutions should naturally show respect to our traditional rulers, with the Oba of Benin holding a paramount position in Edo State.
“If I am elected as the governor by the esteemed people of Edo State, I will consistently seek the counsel of the esteemed Oba of Benin and other traditional rulers across the state before making significant policy decisions. Our traditional rulers are the guardians of our cultural values.
“We find it quite unpleasant that the pro-Obaseki media has twisted the entire narrative to tarnish the candidate’s reputation and entangle him in the murky waters that the notorious Governor Obaseki has plunged the state into. Their aim was to gain a political advantage, but their attempt failed miserably.
“Senator Monday Okpebholo is not only a man of profound humility and respect, but also a well-mannered Edo native who comprehends the revered status of traditional rulers in the state, particularly our exceptional monarch, the Great Oba of Benin. Governor Obaseki has been disrespecting the Benin Palace and its artifacts alongside the Great Oba of Benin, “Afegbua stated.
