Traditional Rulers in Edo has warned politicians in the state not to arm thugs to cause mayhem during the forthcoming general elections.
The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II gave the warning in his palace, in Benin, on Monday on behalf of the Edo Traditional Council during a meeting with chairmen and members of the various political parties.
The monarchs disclosed that they were aware of ongoing recruitment of youths as thugs, plans for vote buying as well as procurement of weapons by some politicians ahead of the elections warning that if such politicians refuse to play by the rules and avoid do-or-die politics, they would pray to their ancestors to afflict them (politicians) with life-long difficulties in all their endeavours.
Oba Ewuare 11 noted that God and the ancestors were seriously against those who would acquire political power by bloodletting.
Reminding politicians that there would always be a winner and a loser in every contest, elections included, the monarch called on winners to be magnanimous in victory and the losers to be gallant enough to accept defeat and strategize for victory in subsequent elections.
He said: “We understand that some politicians are procuring weapons and are already recruiting gullible youths as thugs to be used before and during elections.
“It is our prayer that God and our ancestors help avert violence and mayhem from our land before, during and after the elections.”
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“Power belongs to and comes from God and He decides who to bequeath it to.
“So, it will be against God’s wish if anyone tries to achieve political powers through spilling of human blood or killing innocent citizens.
“The Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs condemn such act in its entirety.”
