Timothy Omobude 
A social-cultural organisation under the aegis of Benin United Forum (BUF) yesterday urged All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders not to make the mistake of ceding the Ovia federal constituency by-election ticket to a candidate perceived as an ‘enemy’ of the Benin Kingdom.
The group, in the press release, was silent on the name of the aspirant but said some of those jostling for the party’s ticket had given tacit support to former Governor Godwin Obaseki against the revered Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II.
The release signed by Mr Iyamu Osaro Culture, president and Osayuki-Osa Benson, secretary general, respectively, appealed that their position be given favourable consideration.
Culture said, “The next Ovia Federal Representative should and must not be the Son or Daughter of the enemy of Benin Kingdom. We called on the APC Leadership of Ovia South West and North East to jettison any plan(s) to support the Son or Daughter of enemy of Benin Kingdom as a Candidate.
“In as much as we have no person or individual grudges against anyone who aspire for elective position, this letter is in affirmation that, our position has not changed, but against the enemies of Benin Kingdom.
“More so that, as the bye election draws closer, we wish to call on relevant stakeholders in the polity that, those who sacrilegiously supported Obaseki actions against the revered Benin throne should not be by any means be nominated or supported to fly the APC flag. Whether or not such Aspirant has changed Political Party or an old member(s) within the APC Aspirants.
“If APC hope to retain the vacant position of Ovia Federal Constituency for the Party, we state therefore, that any attempt, or calculated or attempted attempt to undermine our position will be viewed as APC only rode on the sacrilegious acts/plots that Obaseki orchestrated against Benin Kingdom to get into power in Edo State which will signal a wrong move.
“We will appreciate it if this position of ours is given favourable consideration by the State APC Leadership and that of Ovia South West/ North East Leadership”.
