The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has refuted claims by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole that the monarch advised against Governor Godwin Obaseki's candidacy in 2016.

Oshiomhole made this assertion during a visit to the Benin palace on Sunday, accompanied by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other APC stalwarts, following the party's victory in Saturday's gubernatorial election.

While kneeling before the monarch, Oshiomhole apologised for allegedly ignoring the Oba's advice.

He said, "Your Royal Majesty, I would like to remain on my knees, first to apologise to Your Majesty for my poor judgement, when, in spite of your clear advice to the contrary, I stubbornly, and wrongly supported a man, who I thought, being a Benin man, will respect the tradition, the custom, the heritage, the brilliance and creativity and the respect for tradition by any logical man that claims a Benin man, when I presented Obaseki to you, against your advice."

However, in his response, the Oba denied ever advising against Obaseki's candidacy.

"When you brought Obaseki to me, I did not say anything. You know I said I won't say so much here. I told them. And I will try to restrain myself. Because anything that will bring any issue with my son Akpakomisa (referring to the Edo governor-elect, Monday Okpebholo), I want to avoid it," the monarch said.

The Oba further corrected Oshiomhole, stating, "But I have to correct it when you said 'against my advice'. I never said anything against Obaseki when you brought him."

He also pointed to a witness, former Edo State Board of Internal Revenue chairman, Elemah, to confirm his account.