Nigerians have criticised the Oba of Benin, his Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba, Uku Akpolokpolo Ewuare II over his calls against the planned August 1 nationwide protest.
The Oba, in a press statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Osaigbovo Iguobaro, on Wednesday, “appealed to the general public to give the Federal Government enough time to implement its economic policy that will alleviate the present hardship being experienced by Nigerians.”
He also added that Nigerians should endure the hardship being faced currently, saying, “for things to get better, it has to be rough for a while.”
He therefore “appealed to those planning the August 1st nationwide protest to shelve the plan.”
However, the appeal by the royal father has attracted widespread condemnation from Nigerians, with many arguing that ‘he eats three square meals a day’ while his subjects languish in abject poverty.
In various statements on X, Nigerians bemoaned the royal father, vowing to go ahead with the planned protest.
They condemned the ruler for being quick to speak against the “hunger protest” despite allegedly remaining silent over the bad policies of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
“But the Oba should have been talking about the bad policies of this government. I find it disheartening that some of our religious and traditional leaders will keep quiet when the government policies are bad but quick to speak against protest,” Destiny OT stated.
An X user simply identified as Sholz mentioned that “it’s like you people don’t get it; people are barely surviving due to poor decisions from the government, and you’re talking about shelving the protest. No, Oba, No!”
Comrade Idan, in his reaction, begged the Oba not to “disrespect” the throne of his forefathers by betraying his people in his appeal against the protest.
“Don’t you dare bring disrespect to the throne of our forefathers by betraying the people and the land for politics,” Idan said.
Adejide argues that Nigeria is not progressing because those who should hold political leaders accountable over their actions are “busy taking bribes.”
“You can see why Nigeria is in this mess. The old generation just keeps taking bribes to sell out their unborn generation. That’s why we are here. They are greedy, selfish, and thieves,” Adejide stated.
“Oba is an elite; he and his family eat and enjoy life at the expense of the masses; he doesn’t know how much a cup of garri costs in the market, so don’t blame him.
“Like the Oba, Onanuga, Wike, and the rest, they really don’t give a damn; they just want to maintain the status quo,” Chris Okpokiri stated in his reaction.
Below are more reactions from Nigerians.
Abba Elochu, “Hence the government policy could not yield any positive result after one year; it’s counterproductive, and nothing will change even if applied for a decade. The Oba should proffer pragmatic solutions to hungry Nigerians or relax.”
Valentine, “How many statements has he released ever since the government has been doing anyhow? He should have remained silent just like before.”
Osibena Ezekiel, “They live in affluence and tell struggling people not to complain. Look at how they really round Dangote.”
Maduba Augustine, “Our traditional leaders must defend our traditional institutions. Not to join corrupt politicians to kill us more because time will reach when common man will wear masks and talk to the traditional leaders.”
Saem Campbell, “The throne should always be revered, but if the head that wears the crown doesn’t respect himself, he would be denigrated.”
Blexxman, “I so much love the Oba of Benin that I will always listen to him when he speaks, but this time around I am hungry, and frankly, I don’t hear well when hungry. I need food; my family needs food, not palliative type of food; I mean, I work; you pay me; I buy food and eat.”
Deus Ibi Est, “Oba of Benin cannot use his influence to make his friends in government fix Bye-pass road. I lost all the respect I had for him when he supported Tinubu and when I saw that road. Silly old, oily, and greasy occultic men.
Kelvin Ero, “Oba of Benin, you’re my father, and I’m a proud Benin boy, but you see this your plea, I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but it will not work. We’ll protest, sir, with all due respect.”
