By Jethro Ibileke

The Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, on Saturday said he thanked God that the Governor Godwin Obaseki has not been impeached despite the turbulence that has characteried the politics of Edo State under his leadership.

The monarch who disclosed this when Obaseki, led some Governors, Senators and other top-ranking officials of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), on a courtesy call on him in his palace recalled that the Edo State Governor had asked him for prayers so that he will complete his tenure.

“I remembered when I visited Governor Obaseki in his office, he asked me to pray for him to be able to complete his tenure in office and I did and today, he has not been impeached despite the ups and downs and I thank my God and my ancestors for answering my prayers.

“When I also visited Rivers and the Cross Rivers States, the Governors there asked me to intervene in the Edo State political crisis and I said I will not give up and that we have been praying and I thank God and our ancestors that we had the primary elections in the state and there was no bloodshed and it was so peaceful.

Ahead of the September 19 gubernatorial election in Edo state, Oba Ewuare II, disclosed that the State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs will also hold prayer and fasting sessions for a peaceful election in the state.

“And now as we are about going to the governorship election proper, I am going to summon Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs to pray for a peaceful election in the state.

“We all know that there is nothing prayers cannot do. It is prayers that have been keeping the country going,” he said.

Oba Ewuare II disclosed that the Palace usually pray for a person with the intention of providing good leadership for the people of the state, create employment, so that the people will be able to put foods on their tables and respect the traditional institution to emerge as the governor.

Earlier, the National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, told the Benin monarch that they were in the palace to pay obeisance to him and to also seek his blessings and permission to go on with their campaign in the state.

Also speaking, Governor Nyeson Wike of Rivers State, thanked the monarch for being a shining light in the country noting that his prayers have kept the country going.

He added that after the September 19 governorship election, they will also come to say thank you to him.

In his part, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, told the monarch that he has decided to come to the palace to seek for his blessings before he continues with his campaign in the state.