By Simon Ebegbulem
BENIN—THE Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom, Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, yesterday, hailed the governorship election held in the state which saw the emergence of Mr Godwin Obaseki, just as he described Governor Adams Oshiomhole as an astute political warrior who has done the state proud.

The Crown Prince, who noted that due to the earlier tension prior to the election, “We all went down on our knees to pray harder and honestly to our ancestors and God Almighty  that He should give us a peaceful election and a governor that will keep food on the tables of our people and respect the traditional institution.”

The Crown Prince broke his silence when Governor Oshiomhole, his wife Iara and the governor-elect, Godwin Obaseki and leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, paid him a visit at his palace.

ROYAL BLESSING—Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and his wife, Iara, kneel for royal blessings before the Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom, His Royal Highness, Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, Edaiken N’Uselu, during a visit to the royal father in his palace, yesterday.

The Crown Prince, who commended Governor Oshiomhole for his ardent respect for the traditional institution, urged all Bini chiefs to continue to pray for the out going governor and the in-coming one, Obaseki, whom he charged to surpass Oshiomhole’s record.

He said: “I thank God and our ancestors for hearing the fervent prayers we prayed before the election and for bringing out somebody that will uplift our people and respect the tradition. To the governor-elect, I say, keep to your promises, keep your words, put food on the table of our people, respect the traditional institution and ensure that you build on what Oshiomhole has done.

“The passion and respect Oshiomhole has for our tradition is number one. Oshiomhole is today a Bini son of the palace. He is one governor who has catapulted the image of the Oba of Benin and our tradition to the highest level. Oshiomhole is a different type of governor and we urge Obaseki to emulate him.”

Speaking earlier, Governor Oshiomhole thanked the Crown Prince for his support and prayers before and after the elections, saying, “In other states they count the number of deaths and destructions but in our state no life was lost and our people voted peacefully.”