Oba of Benin Remains My Father, Says Ex-Minister Agba

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The immediate past Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, has distanced himself from articles purportedly written by some individuals as his response to Oba of Benin’s enquiries about his (Agba) stewardship as a minister.

He said those writing such articles that were trending online were not known to him, nor did he sponsor any article or commission anyone to reply to the Oba whom he described as his father.

The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II had, during Agba’s visit to the Benin throne on June 15, questioned the former minister about his stewardship in the state.

Agba, in a statement he personally signed titled, ‘Disclaimer Notice’, said “I do not, I repeat, I do not,  and I will not have any disagreements with His Royal Majesty, Oba of Benin Kingdom, on any matter whatsoever.”

The statement read in part: “I would like to address some commentaries and articles that have come to my attention, purportedly in response to the questions I received from our esteemed Royal Father, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’oba N’edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare ll, Oba of Benin Kingdom about my stewardship.

“Let me make it clear, without any doubt, that the commentaries and articles that have surfaced are neither sought nor sponsored by me. It is not my nature to join issues in public. He is not only my father but also the father of all of us in Edo State.”

According to the former minister, unaware to the public, after the meeting where the monarch raised some questions about his stewardship, he later met with the Oba in private wherein he (Agba) clarified some of the issues raised by the Oba.

“However, unaware to most, later that evening, His Royal Majesty graciously granted me an opportunity to privately discuss and address those concerns, allowing me to provide clarifications and answers. Especially regarding how the provision for the storage of the artefacts was captured in the budget, for which I apologised and clarified that was not my intention,” he stated.

He, therefore, advised “those who insist on writing articles and commentaries, attempting to politicise the situation” to “discontinue this fruitless pursuit.”