The Oba of Benin, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, on Sunday, said God ordained Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to be President of Nigeria and called on the citizens to support the administration, as well as live in peace.
The Oba of Benin made this known on Sunday during a courtesy visit to Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the Lagos House, Marina.
The Benin monarch noted that the victory of Tinubu in the 2023 presidential poll and his emergence as the incumbent President of Nigeria showed that God ordained him to rule the country, hence the need for all Nigerians to support him to achieve the greater Nigeria of our dreams.
Speaking further, Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Ewuare II, harped on the need for peaceful coexistence in the country for us to achieve sustainable development in all areas of the nation’s economy.
He said diversity is 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 also congratulated Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on his reelection and commended the giant strides of the Governor in Lagos while urging him not to rest on his oars to achieve greater heights in his second term in office.
The Oba of Benin also visited the J. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, Onikan, after the courtesy visit, with Governor Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and other cabinet members. He commended Governor Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to the promotion of culture and tradition.
Speaking during the courtesy visit, Governor Sanwo-Olu assured that the state would continue to be home to everyone irrespective of ethnic, religious or political affiliations.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, who eulogised the Oba of Benin for distinguishing himself among the traditional rulers, said his protection of culture and promotion of traditional values have earned him maximum respect across the country.
Sanwo-Olu, while conveying the greetings of President Bola Tinubu to the Oba of Benin, urged the traditional ruler to continue his support for the present Federal Government to ensure citizens benefit from dividends of democracy which he noted are becoming evident in the third quarter of the year with a rise in the country’s GDP.
He said: “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”, the governor concluded.