No matter the level of rascality of a Nigerian politician, he would still revere royalty and accept his traditional ruler, not only as the custodian of his own culture and norms, but also as an epitome of morality, wisdom and sound judgment. That is why most Nigerian politicians always try to cultivate and solicit the support of royal fathers. Normally, if, as a politician, you receive the endorsement of your traditional ruler, then, by implication, the people are with you such that you have little or no battle to fight. In certain situations, this may not be exactly the case, as some of the nation’s traditional rulers have been politically corrupted.
However, one domain in which the king’s integrity remains intact and where his word is taken as sacred, if not divine, is the kingdom of Benin. Modern-day Benin Kingdom, for those who may not know, evolved from the old Benin Empire which, up till the 19th century, was a major pre-colonial state in Africa, specifically in the South-Western part of Nigeria, spreading to the Republic of Benin, Togo and Ghana. It was a well organised state with stable economic, social and political institutions as well as trained and disciplined army. Benin Kingdom had and still has influence beyond what is geo-politically designated today as Edo State. It is that history that accounts for the tremendous influence of all past Benin Kings and the current Monarch, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Erediauwa, who is the 38th Oba of Benin.
I dare say that the Oba of Benin is among the few traditional rulers that are highly respected in Nigeria, not only by his peers but also by ordinary Nigerian folks, including academics, professionals, businessmen and politicians, within and outside his domain. When the Oba makes a pronouncement on an issue, it is generally believed that that issue has been resolved. So, when, in April 2012, the Benin Monarch prayed for and endorsed Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s bid for re-election, the message for the entire domain was clear. And, the Oba’s word came to pass, when the governorship election was held on July 14.
On Friday, 25th April, 2014, the highly respected Oba, who is constrained by age, sent a message of goodwill to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, through his Crown Prince, Ambassador Eheneden Erediauwa, in which he commended the President, prayed for him and invoked the ancestral spirits of the kingdom to give him the strength to continue with his good work, in spite of daunting security challenges. The Monarch then urged the President to seek a second term to complete his work of transforming the nation. Like the Oba’s support for Governor Oshiomole, the Monarch’s endorsement of President Jonathan was total and unequivocal.
In traditional Africa culture, it is believed that traditional rulers are next to the gods and that they possess the special gift of clairvoyance and the capacity to foretell the future or see ahead what the rest of us cannot see. In many ways, the Benin Monarch has, in the past, demonstrated this ability. His open endorsement of Jonathan means that he has seen more than we, ordinary Nigerians, are able to see. And, as it happened for Oshiomhole in 2012, there is no reason to suggest otherwise in the case of Jonathan.
But the Oba’s goodwill message wasn’t just an exercise in precognition or prophecy. It was mainly a commendation of Jonathan’s administration for its achievements as well as genuine commitment to move our nation forward. The Benin Monarch must have had in mind achievements in such areas as the economy, agriculture, infrastructure development, power, roads, transportation, etc; he must have recognised developments in the education sector, up-lift of Nigerian women, job creation, and efforts at tackling the security challenges in all parts of the country, especially the North East.
While hesitating to bring in the element of luck here, one is tempted to say that President Jonathan is, indeed, a lucky man. In addition to those areas in which he has, on his own efforts, made tangible achievements, many other good things just appear to throw themselves at him. How, for instance, is one to explain the emergence of Nigeria – during the Jonathan era – as Africa’s largest economy with a GDP of $510 or consider the massive inflow of foreign investments in a country facing severe security challenges?
We all know that Oba Erediauwa is not a frivolous king, nor does he have any partisan leaning. Besides, he hardly interferes in political matters. His open endorsement should, therefore, be seen as the collective voice of the people, not only of Edo State but also of all Nigerians who respect the sanctity of the ancient kingdom. The Oba’s endorsement should serve as a catalyst for President Jonathan and his officials to continue their hard work.
Our Oba has spoken! Congratulations, Lucky Jonathan!
Francis Ehigiator contributed this piece from Benin City, Edo State.
