The Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku’Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, has reiterated that the Benin royal stool is non-partisan, urging political actors to distinguish the traditional institution from partisan politics.
The monarch made the clarification when the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, Abdulaziz Yari, led members of the council to the Benin Palace in Edo State as part of consultations ahead of the 2027 presidential election. The delegation visited the palace to seek royal blessings, prayers and support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.
While responding to the delegation, Oba Ewuare II said the traditional institution remained above partisan political affiliations. He explained that his comments on the need for continuity in governance should not be interpreted as his membership of or formal allegiance to any political party.
“The Benin throne is not partisan. There is no point for change for the sake of change. That is not to say that I belong to one party or the other,” the monarch said.
The monarch’s comments came against the backdrop of increased political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with political parties and campaign organisations engaging traditional rulers, political stakeholders and community leaders across the country.
Oba Ewuare II said political decisions should be guided by the performance of governments rather than a desire for change for its own sake. His position, as reported by several media outlets, was that continuity could be considered where a government was performing satisfactorily.
The monarch also called for greater cooperation among political leaders across party lines. He noted that although opposition was an essential component of democratic governance, political differences should not prevent elected officials and political actors from working together on matters of national interest.
“In democracy, there must be opposition when a party comes to power. I don’t see why an opposition party can’t support the ruling party,” he said.
He further appealed to former governors, senators and other political leaders to prioritise the interests of the country in their engagements.
The Oba also cautioned against excessive criticism of political leaders, noting that no individual or government could claim perfection.
“Is there anybody who is so perfect as I am talking now? Nobody. I love and like peace and tranquillity. I am American, and British-trained as a diplomat, and I say it the way it is,” he said.
Earlier, Yari explained the purpose of the APC Presidential Campaign Council’s visit to the palace.
He said the council was constituted to coordinate the campaign for Tinubu’s re-election and that the delegation was visiting the monarch to seek his prayers, royal blessings and support.
“Our mission today is simple: Mr President formed the campaign council for his re-election. We are here to seek royal blessings, prayers and support for the re-election of your son, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, come 2027,” Yari said.
Yari, a former governor of Zamfara State, also spoke about what he described as achievements of the Tinubu administration, particularly in the areas of economic growth, inflation and foreign exchange management. Those figures were presented as claims by the campaign council rather than independently established findings in the reports of the palace visit.
The Edo State Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, was also reported to have expressed appreciation to the monarch for receiving the delegation.
Idahosa used the occasion to appeal for support for Tinubu’s second-term bid, while also highlighting the Edo State Government’s projects and political position on the 2027 election.
The visit underscores the growing political engagement ahead of the 2027 presidential election, as campaign organisations seek to establish relationships with traditional institutions and influential community stakeholders.
For the Oba of Benin, however, the distinction between the traditional institution and partisan politics remains important. His declaration that the Benin throne is non-partisan indicates that the palace does not formally identify with a political party, even as the monarch can express views on governance, national development and the performance or continuity of administrations.
The monarch’s call for cooperation between the government and opposition also comes at a time when political competition is intensifying nationwide.
With the 2027 election approaching, political parties are expected to continue their consultations across the country. The Benin Palace visit has therefore become part of the wider political engagement surrounding the forthcoming election, while Oba Ewuare II has maintained that the traditional institution he occupies remains above party politics.
