Tensions were heightened in Benin on Monday as supporters of Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party governorship candidate, took to social media to hurl insults at the Oba of Benin, HRH Ewuare II, after he publicly rejected Akpata’s claim to be a son of the Oba’s Palace.
Across platforms like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, and the online forum Nairaland, Akpata’s supporters expressed outrage over what they felt was the Oba’s humiliation of their candidate.
Under a Sahara Reporters article about Akpata’s embarrassing visit to the Palace, commenters unleashed a torrent of abuse. “Money Oba. When the revolution starts. We will start with these money driven nonsense of traditional politicians,” wrote Ocj Okene on Facebook.
The attacks only escalated from there. “Useless talk from a useless ruler,” said Richard Wilson, while Pst Akin Fapohunda called it a “senseless and insensitive clarification by this arrogant King.” Sunday Rich even suggested Akpata should remove the Oba if elected.
Similar sentiments were expressed on Twitter and Nairaland, though this report refrains from publishing the most violent comments.
Faced with the growing outrage, Akpata was forced to issue a belated disclaimer. “I categorically condemn any conduct or language that could be deemed insulting or disrespectful towards the Oba of Benin,” he said.
However, a Benin Enigie (traditional chief) who spoke to this reporter was unforgiving. “What Akpata has done is unforgivable. He was the one who came to the Palace to claim he was something he is not. Every Benin man knows what the penalty is for lying to our god-king. The Oba was merciful and gracious to him, and yet Akpata has allowed his people to abuse the Oba for correcting him. No true Benin son would allow this.”
The incident occurred on Saturday when Akpata, accompanied by Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, visited the Oba’s Palace and claimed to be a son of the Palace. However, the Oba gently corrected him, stating that while Akpata might be an industrious son of the soil, he was not a son of the Palace.
The Edo gubernatorial election is scheduled for September 21, 2024.