The Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku’Akpolokpolo Ewuare II, has expressed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for a second term, saying the President deserves a “renewed mandate”.
The monarch spoke on Tuesday when he received the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), led by its Director-General, Senator Abdulazeez Yari, at the Benin Palace.
“For somebody who is doing well, it is our prayer that he gets a renewed mandate,” the monarch said.
Oba Ewuare urged critics of the President to allow him to continue with what he described as his good work.
He received the delegation alongside senior political figures, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; former governors Aliyu Magatakar Wamakko, Adamu Aleiro, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Aminu Bello Masari; former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim; and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare.
Dare disclosed details of the PCC’s visit in a statement.
The delegation was led to the palace by Edo State Deputy Governor Denis Idahosa.
Yari conveyed greetings from Tinubu and sought the monarch’s prayers and royal blessings for the President ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
While making the case for Tinubu’s second-term bid, Yari highlighted what he described as some of the administration’s achievements, including lower food prices, the stabilisation of the naira after the exchange rate had risen to around N1,800 to the dollar, and the construction of inter-regional roads.
Oba Ewuare thanked Tinubu for the warm reception he received during his recent visit to the State House in Abuja and appreciated the campaign council for visiting the Benin Palace.
After praying for the President, the monarch sang the song popularised by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike: “As e dey pain them, e dey sweet us.”
Addressing criticism of the President, Oba Ewuare quoted the Scriptures, saying: “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”
He added: “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 commented on the opposition field, observing that not all those presenting themselves as opposition candidates were necessarily committed to contesting the election. He urged them to support Tinubu as he continued implementing his programmes.
The PCC’s consultation with traditional rulers also included a visit to the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar ibn Umar Garba el-Kanemi, at his palace in Maiduguri.
The Shehu commended Tinubu over what he described as improved security in the country, saying he could now travel across the country with less fear of attack.
He prayed for peace in the country and peaceful elections.
The PCC had begun its consultations on Monday with visits to the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, and the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu I.
Meanwhile, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau has urged APC supporters in Kano North Senatorial District to work towards securing victory for the party’s candidates in the January 16, 2027 election.
Barau spoke while inaugurating the Kano North Senatorial District Campaign Council, headed by the Managing Director of the Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority and former Secretary to the Kano State Government, Rabiu Sulaiman Bichi.
He said the committee would mobilise across the 13 local government areas in Kano North for the re-election of President Tinubu, as well as his own return, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s re-election and the party’s state and National Assembly candidates.
A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, said Barau urged members of the council to remain committed to the party.
He described the campaign structure as inclusive, with stakeholders at ward, local government and senatorial district levels expected to contribute to the party’s campaign.
Barau said: “This is an all-inclusive arrangement. Everybody is involved, and all stakeholders are part and parcel of this council.
“This has always been our system, and it is one of the reasons we have continued to succeed in Kano North. This election will not be an exception, by God’s grace.”
He charged the committee with mobilising supporters and bringing stakeholders together to secure victories for the party’s candidates.
Barau also urged members to move beyond the outcome of the APC primaries, noting that the internal contests had ended and those who secured tickets should work with those who were unsuccessful.
He said: “You can see that many of those who contested the primaries but did not secure the tickets are here today.
“They understand that the party belongs to all of us, and that the victory of the party is ultimately their own victory.”
Bichi said the committee would campaign for all APC candidates, from the presidential level to the House of Assembly.
He described Barau as a strong candidate whose interventions had left what he called visible footprints across Kano State.
Bichi said the committee comprised experienced politicians and grassroots mobilisers and expressed confidence that its members would work together to secure a strong performance for the APC in Kano North and beyond.
He added that members would intensify mobilisation efforts to encourage voters to support the party’s candidates.