Oshiomhole of Edo State has urged royal fathers in the state to remain focused

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Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has urged royal fathers in the state to remain focused on the maintenance of peace and security in their domains and ignore politicians who make empty promises and have nothing to offer the people, as the 2015 election approaches.

He made the call yesterday at the inauguration of the State?s Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs under the Chairmanship of His Royal Majesty, Omo n’Oba Erediauwa, CFR, Oba of Benin at the Government House, Benin City.

The Governor said: ?as we approach the 2015 elections, we politicians, and myself inclusive are going to go round your domains and promise to put air conditioners everywhere. Some of us might use ethnic sentiments where it suits us and to play one brother against another. This is the moment where your leadership will be brought to test because for some politicians, the end justifies the means.

?Some will try to spread false rumors, spread disinformation but I pray that you will remain constant in your commitment to peace and security.?

While urging the royal fathers to help the government in the maintenance of peace and security in the state, Oshiomhole said ?current events in parts of the country have opened the eyes of everyone to the fact that without peace, there can be no development. We cannot even talk of governance, infrastructure, we cannot talk of investment and wealth creation.

?In Edo state, individually and collectively, you have continued to assist government in ensuring that there is peace in your various domains.

?There can be no peace in the home if there is no peace in the state. The peace that we enjoy in this state is because of the conscious effort that you are making in your various domains to settle community quarrels, settle family quarrels, to mediate on disputes, local disputes, all of those help us to achieve peace in the state.

?I also want to acknowledge the invaluable role you are playing in the maintenance of security. Many of you Royal Fathers on your own initiative and in collaboration with Community leaders help to put in place vigilante groups and made available to them your wise counsel and guidance and this goes a long way to compliment the other security agencies. Many criminals have been apprehended as a result of this effort.

?I want to say to you that I am very grateful, that I am very appreciative and that I can continue to count on your support, on our shared commitment to make our state a peaceful and the most secured state in the country.

?I want to assure you that I remain clear on the need to strengthen the Traditional Institutions and that we do not allow politicians who are short-sighted in calculation to do anything that will lead to crisis or sponsored acts to undermine the authority of any traditional ruler across the state. If anyone who is associated with Government is involved in any such acts, please feel free to draw my attention to it and I will act promptly.

?I am very clear that I am here as Governor of Edo State not because everybody wants me to be here but because Your Royal Highnesses along with the good people of the state voted freely to have me here. ?At the same time, if there is anyone who wants to undermine your authority or question the legitimacy of your office, you can be rest assured of my support.?

The Governor appreciated His Royal Majesty, Oba of Benin for his untiring efforts as the paramount traditional ruler in the state in ensuring unity across the length and breadth of Edo State and also for his support, prayers particularly for him, the people and government of Edo State.

The Governor also thanked the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs for all their efforts not only in supporting his government in their respectful domains but also for offering useful advice to him.

Responding, the Onojie of Opoji and First Vice Chairman of the Traditional Council, HRH, Zaiki Ehidiamen 1 (JP) who spoke on behalf of the Oba of Benin thanked the Governor for inaugurating the committee.

He said, ?I want to assure you that the Traditional Council will continue to play its advisory role in partnering with you in your progressive ideas?.

The Council is made up of traditional rulers and chiefs from across the three Senatorial District of the state.

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