By Erharuyi A. Joe
The Edo State Governor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, has assured traditional rulers in the State of his commitment to work closely with them in tackling insecurity and other challenges at the grassroots.
Sen. Okpebholo gave the assurance when he received traditional rulers from Edo North Senatorial District. He appreciated his guests and asserted that their collaboration will be a veritable instrument for maintaining internal security at the local community level. He stated, “History has shown that they were the first security officers of every community. This is how it ought to be because they know visitors and indigenes of their communities. My agenda is to work closely with you”.
The Governor maintained that his administration has high regard for traditional institutions, citing how he restored the statutory rights of the Oba of Benin, some days before. He said, “We have started righting the wrongs of the immediate-past administration and if you listen to the news recently, we have restored the statutory rights of the Oba of Benin Kingdom”.
The Governor concluded that he will maintain close relationship with the traditional rulers and vowed to restore their rights and privileges fully to them, not minding who must have infringed upon such rights.
Leader of the delegation and Olokpe of Okpe, HRH Oba Idogu lll, said the last administration, led by Governor Godwin Obaseki, caused more harm than good. He asserted, “The last administration had done too much harm to the traditional institutions especially in Akoko-Edo in Edo North, where a village head would just be given staff of office in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy affairs without due process”.
