The leading candidates for the September 19 governorship election in Edo State, Governor Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress, APC are in a competition to gain the support of traditional rulers in the state.

 The duo have since the beginning of the campaigns received floods of royal blessings, endorsements and titles, which their campaign councils have separately rallied for.

The struggle which continued yesterday at the palace of the Ogieneni of Uzairue, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Kadiri Imonikhe Omogbai IV,  had the monarch confer the Onoshiorena of Uzairue (He that God has crowned) chieftaincy title on Obaseki with Ogieneni installing the Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, as the Oshiozekhai (It is God that Chooses) of Uzairue.

 Omogbai IV who spoke at the event said:

“Your deputy is from this place and he is my son, just as you have said earlier. Considering what you have done in the last four years, you have done very well. In terms of infrastructural development, I believe you have done well for the state.

“You have good men around you. I promise you that Uzairue people will give you 100 per cent vote. I will also like to make some appeals to you. I want your government to upgrade the Uzairue Market to a modern one.”

Meanwhile, in a related development, the Otaru of Auchi who is also the Vice-Chairman of the Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Aliru Momoh Ikelebe III, conferred a title ‘Itsemakhoma’ of Auchi (this is our own) on Ize-Iyamu, when the APC candidate paid a visit to his palace.

The Otaru made the conferment and honour on Ize-Iyamu due to Ize-Iyamu’s love for the people, track record of performance in his previously held government positions, and deep respect for the traditional institution in the State as the Otaru said the Auchi sacred kingdom was proud of Ize-Iyamu and his achievements.