“It is a sacrilege to drag the Oba of Benin in the market square”, Okpebholo

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 21st election in Edo State, Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo, says it is a sacrilege for anyone to drag his father into the market square and then attempt to settle the matter secretly thereafter.

Okpebholo, who spoke in faraway America while addressing Edo people in the diaspora, said he would establish a fully-fledged diaspora office to oversee the interests and well-being of Edo citizens living abroad.

A statement by the Senator Monday Okpebholo Campaign Organization, signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Mr. John Mayaki, said, “The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare II, is our father, and we will consult him on every issue when I become governor,” Okpebholo said while reacting to a question on what he would do differently towards the Oba of Benin when he becomes governor, in contrast to the hostile attitude of Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Okpebholo said, “The Oba is the father of all. You cannot drag him out into the market square and later pretend to want to settle with him in secret. This is a sacrilege. When I become governor, I will do things differently and consult the Oba on every issue concerning the people and the state.”

On Edo people in the diaspora, the APC candidate said, “I don’t think the government has been fair to them. There is this Diaspora Commission Establishment Bill of 2017 that has been passed into law by the federal government. When I become the governor of Edo State, I will adopt it and establish a fully-fledged diaspora office to oversee the interests and well-being of our citizens living abroad. This would be done through an executive bill.”

Okpebholo said, “This diaspora office would be responsible for identifying, coordinating, and organizing diasporans who wish to contribute to the welfare and development of Edo State. The idea is that this office would enhance closer ties and expedite development within the state and its diaspora, to be managed by a diaspora focal person in the agency or commission.

“We will give priority to Diaspora affairs because we have a lot of our people scattered abroad, excelling in various ways, and willing to contribute to state and national development.”