Oba of Benin Moves To Calm APC Crisis Over Edo South Senatorial Primary

The Oba Ewuare II has appealed for peace among members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) involved in the dispute surrounding the Edo South Senatorial primary election, urging aggrieved aspirants and party loyalists to embrace unity and allow God’s will to prevail.

The revered monarch made the appeal on Friday at his palace in Benin City while receiving APC chieftain Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama and other party leaders from Edo South Senatorial District.

According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Oba, Osaigbovo Iguobaro, the monarch stressed the importance of reconciliation and warned against deepening divisions within the ruling party in the state.

“It is the way God wants things to be. You do not argue with God. Everything has its time, and God’s time is the best. All of you in APC should join hands, cooperate, and work together,” the Oba said.

He further urged those dissatisfied with the outcome of the primary election to remain calm and patient, noting that destiny and divine timing play critical roles in political advancement.

“Those who lost should remain calm and patient. God has plans for them. Even those who feel aggrieved should understand that God may be preparing them for something greater. The outcome will be as God and our ancestors will it,” he added.

Earlier, Ogbeide-Ihama reportedly presented his result sheet to the monarch and maintained that the APC national leadership had yet to issue a certificate of return to the declared winner of the primary.

He claimed that figures released by the party’s national committee indicated that he won the contest by a wide margin.

The APC chieftain also pledged loyalty to the Benin throne and sought royal blessings while awaiting the final decision of the party leadership.

The delegation to the palace included Dennis Idahosa, former Edo State Deputy Governor Pius Odubu, Edo APC Chairman Jarrett Tenebe, alongside other senior party officials.