Tony Osauzo, Benin
Ahead of Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections, the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prove itself as an unbiased electoral umpire in the conduct of the general election.
He also called on eligible voters to come out en masse and vote for a candidate of their choice.
The Benin monarch urged the electorate not to be discouraged by the postponement of the elections, but to renew their hope and zeal to participate in the exercise, which he said is their civic responsibility to the nation.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Desmond Agbama, the Oba also cautioned youths against being used as thugs by politicians to disrupt the electoral process.
He stressed the need for the security agencies to be neutral on election day and refrain from intimidation and harassment of voters.
The Oba said the Benin crown remains non-partisan, hence, a level-playing field was provided for all politicians to campaign and canvass votes, irrespective of political parties.
He prayed to God and the ancestors for a peaceful, free and fair election.