The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II has proposed a single six-year term for presidents and governors to reduce tension and violence associated with the re-election of candidates.
This is as he disclosed plans to summon governorship candidates, particularly the two main contenders for the Edo State governorship election, Governor Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Oba Ewuare II made the proposal when he received delegations from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) led by the Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, at his palace in Benin City.
He said one of the reasons why the single tenure has not been adopted is because most elected officers fail to perform, adding that if there are mechanisms to evaluate performance periodically during their tenure, they will sit up and perform their duties.
“I am not an expert on political analysis. I want to speak on the possible option to avoid the current situation in the future, if it is possible you come up with six-year single tenure for elections
“Assuming it is a single term of six years, an appraisal will be done every two years. And if they don’t meet up to standard after the evaluation performance, they will face impeachment.
“I will do my best to invite the governorship candidate for this election, particularly the two gladiators. I will call Ize-Iyamu and Obaseki to tell them we do not want violence, we want peace,” Oba of Benin said.
The Benin Monarch who said no life is worth the election appealed to Edo people to eschew election-related violence, and enjoined them not to sacrifice their lives for greedy politicians.
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“All those who want to turn the state into a battleground, the law of karma will visit them one by one, he added.
He urged the governorship candidates to imitate the decision of the former president, Goodluck Jonathan, who conceded defeat in the 2015 presidential election, in other to avoid violence.
Oba Ewuare II commended INEC for their diligent jobs and prayed to God to assist the electoral body in performing their roles ahead of the governorship election.
Earlier, the INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu expressed gratitude to the Oba of Benin for his kind gesture and assured the palace that Commission is ready for the election.
“Like many Nigerians, we are concerned about some of the statements and actions through their members and supporters that sound like a threat to peace during the election. INEC is not a political party. The choice who becomes the Governor lies in the hands of the people of Edo State”, Yakubu said.
In his remarks, Edo State Commissioner of Police, Johnson Kokumo said they are collaborating with security agencies, particularly, Nigerian Navy, to ensure a violence-free election, particularly in riverine areas of the State.
‘Godfatherism must end’ — oba of Benin speaks on Edo election
