The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II has warned youths to avoid being patronized by desperate politicians to cause violence prior to the general election as he also revealed that…

“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. God and my ancestors are seriously against those who will acquire political power by shedding blood.”

“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.”

“If such politicians refuse to play by the rules and avoid do-or-die politics, traditional rulers will pray to our ancestors to afflict the politicians with life-long difficulties in all their endeavours.”

“The Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs condemn such act in its entirety. It is customary that there must be winner and loser in an election, as such the winner must learn to be magnanimous in victory while the loser must be gallant enough to accept defeat and strategize for victory in subsequent elections.”