The All Progressives Congress (APC) has come under fire from the Edo State Government for what has been described as a baseless attempt to politicize the revered Benin Royal Museum.
The controversy arose from claims made by the APC suggesting plans to demolish the museum, a move vehemently denied by the State government.
The issue was brought to light in a statement issued by Crusoe Osagie, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Projects, who expressed dismay over what he termed a “fictitious story” concocted by the APC.
According to Osagie, the APC’s allegations are aimed at stirring discord among the people of Edo State and distracting them from important governance issues.
“It is regrettable that the APC has found themselves in this sorry situation where they are now hell-bent on sacrificing the hard-won respect, legacy and heritage of the revered place on the altar of political exigencies,” Osagie stated.
Furthermore, the government clarified that there are no plans whatsoever to demolish the Benin Royal Museum, emphasizing instead its commitment to supporting cultural development in the region. “For the records, I will like to state without equivocation that there are no plans to demolish the Benin Royal Museum, which to the best of our knowledge, has not even been built yet,” Osagie affirmed.
He also pointed out the government’s ongoing efforts to promote cultural institutions such as the Museum of West African Arts, Benin, as part of a broader strategy to develop the Benin Cultural District.
The statement did not mince words in criticizing the APC’s motives, accusing the party of resorting to divisive tactics in a bid to gain political advantage. “The intentions of the APC are well-known, which is to sow seeds of discord in the minds of Edo people and charge them on a fruitless chase of a non-existent threat against the palace,” Osagie added.
The government further urged the public to disregard what it termed “rumors and all antics of the APC,” urging the party to focus instead on constructive campaign strategies that address developmental issues.
Osagie called on the APC to campaign responsibly and focus on presenting their vision for the State’s development rather than engaging in what he described as a “futile effort at a strawman fallacy.”
