Oba of Benin: My call for continuity not support for any party

The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has clarified that his call for continuity in governance ahead of 2027 should not be read as an endorsement of any political party. The clarification is significant for Nigeria's political economy because traditional rulers in Edo State and the wider South-South carry informal influence over voter sentiment, and any perceived partisan alignment by the palace could affect electoral dynamics and investor confidence in the region. By distancing himself from party politics, the Oba preserves the palace's neutrality, which matters for its continued role as a broker in disputes over land, contracts, and community-level commercial interests.