Ogbia—The Obanobhan of Ogbia Kingdom in Bayelsa State, His Eminence, King Dumaro Charles Owaba, Obanobhan III, has enjoined politicians and stakeholders to ensure hitch-free electioneering devoid of hate speech and bias capable of truncating the tolerant and peaceful co-existence in the kingdom and its environs.
He called for issue-based politicking that would seek and proffer solutions to the developmental challenges of the Kingdom, stating that election is not a season of violence and blackmails but a time to plant seeds of development.
The monarch who made this known at a parley with newsmen stated that the palace’s counsel became necessary following increased political consultations and wooing of votes by political actors across the spectrum with its attendant challenges.
He urged all concerned to play by the rules as stipulated in the laws of the land.
King Owaba called on the Ogbia political class to desist from overheating the political climate, adding that politics is about service and development of the people and not name-calling, violence, wranglings, pull-him-down syndrome and deception.
He called on his subjects to exhibit the spirit of the Ogbia Brotherhood and its motto of “all for each and each for all” before, during and after the 2023 elections.
He opined that elections and political power will come and go but Ogbia and her people will remain.
The Bayelsa first class traditional ruler pointed out that the Obanobhan-in-Council and the Ogbia Traditional Rulers’ Council have not individually or collectively endorsed any particular aspirant for any elective position in the forthcoming elections.
According to him, the palace has only been receiving subjects who visit for consultation and prayers over their aspirations to occupy various political offices in the next round of elections.
He stated that as the king and father of all Ogbia sons and daughters, he is not partisan or biased, but receives and advises aspirants to go about their ambitions with brotherliness and unity of purpose and not to betray the confidence reposed.
King Owaba further urged all concerned to desist from further misrepresentation of the open door policy of the palace, adding that offer of royal blessings to a person who visits the palace in furtherance of his or her ambition is a life-long acceptable practice which is not tantamount to an exclusive endorsement of any particular person.
He, therefore, called on politicians to concentrate on their persuasions to garner votes for victory at the polls and refrain from dragging the traditional institution into disrepute.
