As Erediauwa joins ancestors

The announcement of the death of the Oba of Benin, Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolopkolo Erediauwa, last week marked the beginning of the end of what can rightly be described as the golden era of the traditional institution in Nigeria.
And it is no wonder that the fact of his death at a ripe old age has not diminished the grief of the people of Benin.
In an era where no one lays stock on values anymore, perhaps the greatest tribute came from his first daughter, Theresa, who said: “My father was a great man. He upheld our values.”
That is at the core of Erediauwa’s essence and why his people will never forget his era. Formerly Solomon Akenzua, he succeeded his father, Akenzua 11, in March 1979 as the 38th Oba of Benin.
In all the 37 years he spent on the throne, he brought dignity and panache to bear on the office.
A quintessential civil servant and bureaucrat par excellence, the then Prince Akenzua reached the apogee of his career as a federal permanent secretary before retiring.
One of the palace chiefs and the Obadolagbonyi of Benin, Omon-Osagie Utetenegiabi, said Erediauwa was the best thing that happened to the kingdom in both modern and ancient times.
“Erediauwa is the Oba of peace, the Oba who brought prosperity to his people, the Oba who understood his people. He made sure that no one was offended.
“The Oba could sit in judgment and give judgment against his own son for a commoner. It is rare.
“Erediauwa is the best thing that has happened to Benin kingdom in the last 1,600 years.”
The same point that Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, made when he described Erediauwa as “an accomplished Nigerian, a seasoned bureaucrat, quintessential unifier, unique personage and exemplary Omo N’Oba, whose reign brought distinction, immense class, finesse and integrity to the traditional institution in Edo State and the country at large.”
As the people of Edo and their well-wishers mourn their beloved Oba, TheNiche, while empathising with them also urges them to ensure that his legacies of peace, good neighborliness, dignity and prosperity do not die with him.
Erediauwa was a man of peace and justice who believed in equity. Perhaps, without him the administration of Oshiomhole may have taken a different trajectory.
So, the biggest respect the governor can give to him is to ensure that the upcoming governorship election is transparent and the result reflects the will of the people.
If the political gladiators in the state have any respect for Erediauwa as they claim, then this is the time to sheathe the political sword and abide by the rules of the fight.
The dogfight between Oshiomhole and his Deputy, Pius Odubu, simply because the latter is aspiring to succeed his principal is uncalled for.
While the governor has the constitutional and moral right to support any aspirant of his choice, he has no right to use state resources to muzzle other people out of the race as he is trying to do.
That is political corruption and runs against the values Erediauwa lived for.
Orchestrating all manner of political shenanigans to achieve predetermined goals is anti-democratic and does not promote equity.
If the political actors are indeed the disciples of Eradiauwa as they proclaim, then they should pause and ask themselves what he would have considered the right thing to do in the circumstance and do same.
That is the only way they can immortalise him and his pristine values.
The Oba is dead. Long live Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolopkolo Erediauwa.