By  SIMON   EBEGBULEM

BENIN – A leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State, Mr. Dickson Imasogie, yesterday, apologised to the Benin Monarch, Oba Erediauwa, over his comment that the Benin monarch influenced the just concluded elections in favour of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN.

The PDP leader had alleged, in an interview, that Governor Adams Oshiomhole had informed the Enigies that the Oba instructed them to vote for ACN and that because of the alleged instruction, the Benins voted en mass  for ACN in order not to offend the Oba.

The Palace of the Oba had described the allegation as an attempt to drag the palace into the politics of the state and gave the PDP leader seven days to apologise to the Monarch or face the wrath of the Benins.

The state government, which reacted through the Special Adviser to the Governor, Mr. Charles Idahosa, had described the allegation as laughable. He said: “The people of the state rejected PDP for having pauperised the people of the state for so long, hence they voted immensely for ACN as reward for what Oshiomhole’s administration had done to their lives.”

However, Imasogie, who addressed newsmen in Benin City, yesterday, said: “I will not want to complicate the matter the more, but to say that I will be the last person to ridicule the Oba’s palace, as I am from a disciplined home and family that knows what the palace stands for to every Bini man.

“I accused Adams Oshiomhole of passing information to the Enigies and community heads. I expected Oshiomhole to deny this so that we can support our claims with documents  instead of the corner help he is now getting.

“I, hereby, apologise to the Benin Traditional Council and our Royal Majesty for the comment which the Traditional Council feels is offending.”