A former Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Roland Owie, has warned warring factions of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State not to drag the elders of Benin Kingdom into its internal crisis.
Speaking to newsmen on Monday in Benin City, Senator Owie said it was wrong for some groups to say Governor Godwin Obaseki is recruiting chieftains of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) like the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, and former Foreign Affairs minister, Chief Tom Ikimi, ahead of the forthcoming governorship elections in the state.
Owie said anybody irrespective of their political affiliation is free to visit the governor of the state.
The former Chief Whip said, “I read it last week that our children were dragging Benin elders into the crisis in their party, the APC.
“I want to appeal to them; I am not interested in what is happening in their party (APC) that they should leave elders out of it. Benin elders should not be brought into disrepute, they should please avoid it.
“For bringing Chief Igbinedion into the matter, I expect that they pay an apology visit or issue rebuttal because today is for party A to be there, then it could be another party tomorrow.
“They must understand that never again shall the Binis play second fiddle in any political system, in any party they will find themselves. I want them to unite with themselves and stop bringing Benin into disrepute.
“Any Bini man and anybody for that matter is free to visit the governor at will. If they don’t respect their elders, very soon it will catch up on them because they will also become elders”.
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