By David Lawani
The Akoko Edo Traditional Council have denied allegations of purported endorsement of the member representing Akoko Edo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Peter Akpatason for a fourth term tenure.
Issuing a denial in a statement signed by the Akoko-Edo Traditional Council Secretary, Friday Olorunda, titled, ” Re-Royal Blessings Endorsement for Legislator”, Peter Akpatason MNI maintained that there was never a time that the Deputy Majority leader in the house informed the council that he was seeking another term not to talk of endorsing him.
He noted that the body of Monarchs only offered prayers for the work done and also made requests for what they felt is befitting the Traditional rulers’ hall.
He said the council was surprised to hear after they must have departed to their domains that they have endorsed him for the fourth term.
His words: “This is to bring to the knowledge of the General Public that the Akoko-Edo Traditional Council never at any time endorsed Hon Peter Akpatason for another term in office as being circulated on social media. It should be noted that Hon. Peter Akpatason facilitated the building of a new office for the Akoko-Edo Traditional Council and on this note, he paid a visit to the office to assess the level of work still ongoing.
“During the process, members of the council used the medium to appreciate and offered him prayers and they further requested for other necessary facilities needed in the office.
Suspected killers of Edo ex-gov’s mother remanded in prison
“The traditional council is apolitical and could not have endorsed anybody for any political position. In light of the above, the council hereby refute the endorsement rumour of Hon Peter Akpatason for another term in office by Akoko-Edo Traditional Council as being circulated on social media.”
Meanwhile, the Olokpe of Okope, Imah of Somorika and the Olojah of Ojah in their separate response to the publication refuted such claim by reigning curses on the publisher of such report.
According to Olojah of Ojah, ‘We were holding security meeting when the said man Akpatason gate crashed and said he came to offer them Xmas gifts that include; rice, beans, oil and 500k cash gift in the spirit of Xmas and we indeed prayed offered him prayers no doubt.
“But for him or anyone to smear my character or the character of my fellow monarchs in the name of 4th term mandate, is laughable because no one can cause disunity in Akoko-Edo in the name of politics. Our mutual agreement must be respected this time, the Monarch said.
Also denying the publication, the Olokpe of Okpe used his ancestors to rain curses on “those behind the publication of such satanic report”, describing it as a “figment of their imagination.”
The Paramount Traditional ruler of Igarra, HRH Oba Emmanuel Adeche Saiki 11 also denied the endorsement of Akpatason for another term, saying he was surprised that a report emanated from Akpatason aide that Akoko-Edo Monarchs endorsed him.
“The monarchs are waiting to see if the story will be retracted or not before we take full action against those behind the act.
“It is absolutely ludicrous for anyone to suggest that Akoko-Edo Monarchs can be cowed into supporting Akpatason for another term mandate at the national assembly as against Akoko-Edo mutual agreement”, the revered Monarch said.
