The Benin Traditional Council (BTC) has condemned in strong terms what they referred to as “…abominable efforts to undermine the Benin Traditional Institution through deliberate acts and utterances which are calculated to create confusion.”
In a press statement today, May 22, 2024, jointly signed by Chief Norese Ozigbo Esere, Chief Osaro Idah, Chief Osato Bazuaye, Chief Ada Igbinovia, Chief David Aihiokun Ehondor, Chief Oviasogie and Chief Stanley Obamwonyi, the palace frowned at the “…plan by the Governor of Edo State, His Excellencу, Mг. Godwin Obaseki, to initiate dispute resolution of the suit filed by two suspended Enigie against His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba of Benin.”
The Chiefs took particular notice and rejected comments made by the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Mr. Chris Nehikhare in which he claimed that the suit filed by the Enigie was a family dispute within the Benin Royal Family.
They therefore admonished members of the general public to be wary of abominable efforts to undermine the Benin Traditional Institution through deliberate acts and utterances which are calculated to create confusion.
The statement reads:
“Our attention has been drawn to the reported plan by the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Mг. Godwin Obaseki, to initiate dispute resolution of the suit filed by two suspended Enigie against His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba of Benin.
“Our attention has also been drawn to a Press Statement credited to the Honourable Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Edo State, Mr. Chris Nehikhare in which he claims that, the suit fled by the Enigie is a family dispute within the Benin Royal Family.
“We wish to state for the avoidance of doubt that the Benin Traditional Institution has a well established and fully functional process of customary arbitration under the authority of His RоуаI Majesty, the Oba of Benin.
“Any Chief who has any genuine cause to be aggrieved is at liberty to explore this customary arbitration process. lt is therefore an abomination for any individual to seek to interfere with his age-long and well-established process of customary arbiration.
“We also wish to emphasise that His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin reigns over the Beniп Kіпgdоm as the spiritual and royal father of the Benin people irrespective of family status, age and office.
“Consequently, it is an affront for anyone to suggest that His Royal Majestу, the Oba оf Вenin is in dispute with those оver whom he reigns including members of the Royal Family.”
The palace added: “We admonish members of the general public to be wary of the abominable efforts to undermine the Benin Traditional Institution through deliberate acts and utterances which are calculated to create confusion.
“We appeal to members of the general public to remain law-abiding, and pray for peace to continue to reign in Benin Kingdom,” the BTC stressed!
*Text, except headline, courtesy of MIDWEST HERALD
