BENIN—ESAN traditional rulers in Edo Central senatorial district, Edo State, yesterday, distanced themselves from the purported endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan by Esan Elders Forum, saying: “You cannot endorse any presidential candidate without the involvement of Esan traditional rulers.”
The traditional rulers were reacting to the declaration by Chief Julius Akpede, chairman of Esan Elders Forum, that Esan people had backed the re-election of President Jonathan.
However, first Vice Chairman of Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, and the Onojie of Opoji, HRM Aidonojie Ehidiamen, described the purported endorsement as untrue and an attempt to disrespect Esan traditional rulers.
He said: “The so called Elders Forum is a committee set up by the Minister of Works, Mr Mike Onolemenmen because of his governorship ambition and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, interest. They are an unknown group in Esanland. So, that committee is only fighting for the interest of Onolemenmen and not that of Esan people.
They cannot sit in one room and say they have endorsed Jonathan without the support of Esan traditional rulers and Esan elites.
“They do not represent the elders of Esanland. The Vice Chairman of that body is the brother of the minister. Where did they hold the meeting without the Esan traditional rulers? We as Esan people have never sat down, to deliberate on who to support for the Presidency.
President Jonathan is contesting, Gen Muhammadu Buhari is contesting and you cannot just go to press without carrying traditional rulers along.”
