Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Oba Ewuare II, has publicly chided the Edo State Labour Party governorship candidate, Olumide Akpata over his claim of being a “son of the Palace”.
During a recent meeting with the monarch, Akpata had repeatedly referred to himself as a “son of the Palace” in both English and the local dialect.
But the Oba swiftly dismissed his claim, saying he had instructed one of his chiefs to verify Akpata’s claims.
The Oba added that his investigation revealed that Akpata has no direct or distant links to the Benin Palace.
Oba Ewuare said, “You are an industrious son of the soil but to say you are a child of the Palace…I am not aware that any of my children is contesting or is a politician.
“So, I need to make that clarification for the sake of the public and the fourth estate of the realm.”
Responding to the Oba’s correction, the LP flagbearer acknowledged the distinction, stating that while he might not be a child of the Palace, he is a child of the kingdom.
However, following the incident, a member of Akpata’s entourage expressed disappointment with the public rebuke by the Oba.
According to him, “We are not really happy with the manner in which our candidate was rebuked by the Oba for claiming to be the son of the Palace.”
