Oba Ewuare II has called for continuity in governance and prayed for a renewed mandate for President Bola Tinubu during an APC campaign council visit
‘As He Dey Pain Them, E Dey Sweet Us’: Oba of Benin Backs Tinubu’s 2027 Bid
By Lukman OMIKUNLE
The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, has backed calls for continuity in governance and prayed for a renewed four-year mandate for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The monarch spoke on Tuesday when the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, led by its Director-General, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, visited the Benin Royal Palace in Edo State to seek his blessings, prayers and support for Tinubu’s re-election bid.
The visit marked part of the council’s consultations ahead of the 2027 election, with the delegation including Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; former Sokoto State Governor, Senator Aliyu Wamakko; former Kebbi State Governor, Senator Adamu Aleiro; former Kano State Governor and former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje; former Katsina State Governor and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Masari; former Senate President, Pius Anyim; the Minister of Water Resources; and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, among others.
The Edo State Deputy Governor received the delegation on behalf of Governor Monday Okpebholo before introducing the campaign council members to the monarch.
Speaking at the palace, Yari conveyed Tinubu’s greetings to the Oba and appealed for the monarch’s blessing and support for the President’s 2027 campaign.
Yari also highlighted what he described as gains recorded by the Tinubu administration, citing a reduction in food prices, the stabilisation of the naira after the exchange rate had risen to about N1,800 to the dollar, and the construction of inter-regional roads.
Responding, Oba Ewuare II thanked Tinubu for the warm reception he received during his visit to the State House in Abuja and welcomed the APC delegation to the palace.
The monarch subsequently prayed for Tinubu to secure another four-year mandate, saying leaders who were doing well should be given the opportunity to continue.
“For somebody who is doing well, it is our prayer that he gets a renewed mandate,” the Oba said.
He added in Pidgin: “As he dey pain them, he dey sweet us.”
The Oba also invoked a biblical injunction while urging critics to allow the President to continue with his programmes.
“Let he who is without sin cast the first stone,” he said. “If one is doing well, why not join hands with the President to do what he is doing well? Let President Tinubu finish the good work.”
The monarch further argued that not everyone could occupy the office of President and called for cooperation among political actors, including opposition parties, on issues where they believed the administration was making progress.
The Oba also asked the delegation to convey his best wishes to Tinubu and expressed appreciation for the hospitality he received from the President during his Abuja visit.
While the monarch’s remarks amounted to support for Tinubu’s call for a renewed mandate, reports also noted that Oba Ewuare II stressed the non-partisan status of the Benin traditional institution. The Guardian reported that the monarch said the Benin throne was not partisan, framing his position around continuity rather than party politics.
The palace visit comes as political consultations intensify ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with the APC Presidential Campaign Council taking its campaign outreach to traditional rulers and other influential stakeholders across the country.
