Planned protest: Group backs Oba of Benin’s call for restraint

Barely a week after the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, urged the proponents of the nationwide protest to shelve the plan, a group under the aegis of Network of Benin Ethnic Nationality Organisations has thrown its weight behind the Oba’s call.

DAILY POST reports that the group at a press briefing on Tuesday in Benin City noted, that the call by the monarch for the organizers of the protest to shelve the plan was a welcome development.

The president of the organization, Comrade Ojo Collins Oghomwen, appealed to Edo State residents to heed to the advise of the reverred traditional ruler by not participating in the protest.

Oghomwen opined that the Oba’s call was to ensure that the protest was not hijacked by destructive minded individuals.

“Having instructed Edo people and Nigerians not to partake in the planned protest and to give President Tinubu administration some time, we will observe his spiritual and wise counsel because where a great king sits he can see and determine the future.

“Historically, when ever our highly respected Oba of Benin Kingdom advise his subjects who are Edo people on salient matters like the planned nationwide protest, it is traditionally incumbent on us to heed to his advise and any contrary stance against our reverred palace position is customarily considered as sacrilege.

“Thus, in order no to incur the wrath of our ancestors, we are left with no choice than to abide by the timely advise of our royal father who is the spiritual head of Edo State.

“And, it is our earnest prays that the good people of Edo State will obey the sacred advise offered by our reverend palace,” he said.