EXTRA: Oba of Benin calls for fasting, prayers to ‘ward off evil from Edo’

Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, has called on indigenes and non-indigenes of Edo to embark on a two-week fasting and prayers to “ward off evil” from their land.

The Oba’s call comes three days after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Monday Okpebholo, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of the September 21 governorship election in the state.

Asue Ighodalo, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who was supported by Godwin Obaseki, governor of the state, came second with 247,655 votes.

Okpebholo‘s win seems to have further heightened the rift between the Oba and Obaseki who fell out with the monarch following a dispute over the stolen Benin artifacts returned to the state.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Oba said that the fasting will commence on September 26 to October 9, from 6am to 6pm.

He urged all Benin sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora to fast and pray during the period.

“His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, CFR, Oba of Benin, uses this medium to inform the general public that from 26 September, 2024 to 9th October, 2024, all sons and daughters of Benin Kingdom and, by extension indigenes and non-indigenes living in Edo State, to embark on two weeks fasting and prayer,” the statement reads.

“The Omo N’Oba also enjoins the general public during this two weeks fasting and prayer to appreciate God Almighty for the peaceful conduct of the 2024 Gubernatorial Election, and for warding off all forms of evil out of our land.

“In addition, and in line with our age-long tradition that before the commencement of the consumption of the yearly new yam (Emorho).

“It is important that we fast and pray to God Almighty and the royal ancestors for bountiful harvest and to shield us away from sudden death and for peace and tranquility in our individual homes, families, state and country at large.

“All Benin sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora are to fast and pray during this period. The two weeks fasting period is from 6a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.”