By Amarachi Jim-Nwoko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, at the weekend received former member of the House of Representatives, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, at his palace in Benin City, where he offered prayers for his political aspiration and called on members of the All Progressives Congress in Edo State to embrace peace, reconciliation, and unity.
Ogbeide-Ihama, who polled the highest votes in the recently conducted APC National Assembly primary election for Edo South Senatorial District, was presented to the monarch by a delegation of party leaders led by Edo State Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa.
The delegation also included former Deputy Governor Pius Odubu, APC State Chairman Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, former Senator Matthew Urhoghide, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (rtd), Lucky Imasuen, Lawrence Okah, Charity Aimanyanvbo, Felix Osazee Igbinovia, and Paddy Iyamu.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Odubu informed the monarch that Ogbeide-Ihama emerged with the highest votes during the primary election conducted by the party and was subsequently issued a result sheet by the electoral officer, Mohammed Ajana.
According to him, the visit was aimed at formally acquainting the Oba with the outcome of the exercise and seeking royal blessings as the political process progresses.
Addressing the gathering at the palace, Ogbeide-Ihama maintained that the APC primary election was conducted in accordance with the party’s constitution, guidelines, and procedures, noting that members freely exercised their voting rights during the exercise.
The former federal lawmaker later presented the result sheet issued to him to the monarch, describing Oba Ewuare II as a father figure whose blessings would remain invaluable to his political journey.
Speaking shortly after the presentation, Ogbeide-Ihama said the visit provided him the opportunity to formally present the declared result before the monarch.
“Today, the party leadership at the state level formally presented me to my father, our father, His Royal Majesty. It also provided me the opportunity to show him the result as declared by the committee sent by the National Headquarters to conduct the primary,” he said.
He added that what remains is the completion of the process at the APC national headquarters, similar to what obtains across the country’s senatorial districts.
The atmosphere at the palace briefly turned humorous when the monarch jokingly asked whether the result sheet presented before him was generated through Artificial Intelligence (AI), drawing laughter from palace chiefs and members of the delegation.
Responding, Tenebe and former Deputy Governor Lucky Imasuen dismissed the suggestion, affirming the authenticity of the document.
The monarch, while thanking the visitors for the courtesy visit, described Ogbeide-Ihama as “a son of the palace” and urged politicians and their supporters to conduct their activities peacefully, stressing that violence should have no place in Edo State politics.
Oba Ewuare II also appealed to aggrieved APC members to embrace reconciliation and work together for the development of Edo South Senatorial District and Edo State.
The royal father further emphasized the importance of patience and faith in divine timing, noting that “God’s time is always the best.”
Recalling his longstanding relationship with Ogbeide-Ihama and his family, the monarch said they were well known to the palace and subsequently offered prayers for the aspirant while directing palace chiefs to also remember him in their prayers.
Addressing journalists after the visit, APC State Chairman, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, said the presentation of Ogbeide-Ihama to the Oba underscored the party’s respect for the Benin monarchy and traditional institutions.
“As a party that believes in tradition and respects royalty, we have come to present the aspirant who emerged with the highest votes in the Edo South Senatorial primary election to the palace for royal blessings,” Tenebe stated.
He added that the visit reflected the APC’s commitment to preserving the cultural heritage of the Benin Kingdom while strengthening ties between political leadership and traditional institutions in Edo State.
