From Tony Osauzo, Benin
The immediate past Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, has distanced himself from those writing articles to defend him, following his rebuke by the Oba of Benin last Monday when he visited the monarch to thank him and render his stewardship.
The ex-Minister in a statement, said those writing such articles that were trending online were not known to him (Agba), nor did he sponsor any article or commission anyone to reply to the Oba who he described as his father.
The statement entitled “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.
“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.”
Agba explained that unaware to the public, after the public meeting where the Oba raised some questions about his stewardship, he later met with him (the Oba) in private wherein he clarified some of the issues raised by the monarch.
“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 apologized and clarified that was not my intention”.
Agba, therefore, advised “those who insist on writing articles and commentaries, attempting to “politicize the situation” to “discontinue this fruitless pursuit.”
Recall that the Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare ll, CFR, had during the visit of the former minister, accused him of alleged failure to use his office to benefit Edo people.