The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) on Tuesday visited the Benin Royal Palace to seek the blessing and support of His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin, as the 2027 re-election campaign for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu formally gets underway.
The delegation was led by the Director-General of the PCC, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, and included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko; former Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Adamu Aleiro; former Governor of Kano State and former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; former Governor of Katsina State and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Bello Masari; former Senate President, Pius Anyim; the Minister of Water Resources; and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, among other council members.
Edo State’s Deputy Governor received the delegation on behalf of Governor Monday Okpebholo and introduced the team to the palace.
PCC cites economic gains
Addressing the Oba, Senator Yari extended President Tinubu’s regards and appealed for the monarch’s blessing and support ahead of the 2027 election. He pointed to a string of administration achievements, including a reduction in food prices, the stabilisation of the naira after the exchange rate had climbed to roughly ₦1,800 to the dollar, and the construction of inter-regional roads.
Oba of Benin endorses “renewed mandate”
In his response, the Oba of Benin thanked the President for the warm reception he received during his own visit to the State House in Abuja, and welcomed the PCC’s decision to visit the Benin Palace.
He prayed for President Tinubu to be granted a renewed four-year mandate, tacitly endorsing his re-election bid. “For somebody who is doing well, it is our prayer that he gets a renewed mandate,” the monarch said, adding a Pidgin turn of phrase to underscore the point: “As he dey pain them, he dey sweet us.”
Invoking scripture, the Oba urged critics to let the President continue his work unimpeded. “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone,” he said. “If one is doing well, why not join hands with the President to do what he is doing well? Let President Tinubu finish the good work.”
The monarch also remarked that not everyone is cut out to be President, and called on opposition parties to support Tinubu in continuing his current programmes. He asked the delegation to convey his best wishes and appreciation to the President for the hospitality shown him in Abuja.
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