By Ogochukwu Isioma in Benin City
Following the offer of Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki to resolve the issue between His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolopkolo, Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, and some suspended Enigie (dukes), the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) has listed conditions for peace with the state government.
In a statement on Wednesday issued through their solicitors, Professors Yemi Akinseye-George, SAN and Edoba Omoregie, SAN, made available to METROWATCH, the BTC expressed openness to resolving the conflict amicably but laid out clear conditions for this to happen.
The council demanded, “Abolition of the new traditional councils in Edo South, restoration of the BTC’s statutory financial entitlements to the status quo before the creation of the new councils, including the refund of withheld funds.
“A commitment from the state government to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of the Benin Traditional Institution, respecting the Benin Customary Law and the Oba’s disciplinary authority.
“Withdrawal of the letter revoking the concession of the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre and its restoration to a suitable condition for its original purpose.”
Backstory:
The ongoing dispute between the state government and Benin Royal Palace has deep roots, beginning with the contentious issue of ownership over ancient artefacts looted from the palace of the Oba of Benin during the 1897 Benin Massacre by British colonial forces.
In April 2023, the then President Muhammadu Buhari led federal government issued a gazette for the recognition of ownership and custody of the repatriated Benin artefacts to Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II.
But the issue over ownership lingers.
‘How isuses escalated’ — BTC
The Benin Traditional Council noted that tensions escalated when some local leaders, known as Enigie, proposed creating new traditional councils in Edo South in a letter to the state government dated November 20, 2022, a move that the BTC strongly opposed.
BTC, through the Iyase of Benin and other representatives of the Oba Palace, made numerous efforts to dissuade the state government from this plan, arguing that it would fragment the Benin Kingdom and undermine the authority of the Oba of Benin.
According to the Council, despite these efforts, the state government proceeded to establish new traditional councils across the seven local government areas in Edo South, prompting the BTC to challenge the decision in the State High Court.
The state government also withheld the statutory financial entitlements due to the Benin Traditional Counci.
The BTC counsels stated that the conflict took another turn when the state governor welcomed some Enigie, including those suspended for violating traditional norms, and intervened in legal proceedings against them.
They said that the state government further announced to the National Assembly that the creation of the new traditional councils was final. At the same time, two Enigies filed a joint lawsuit to contest their suspensions.
“Amid these tensions, the Edo State Government issued a notice to revoke the concession of the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre, which had been repurposed as a motor park since 2016, causing further frustration for the BTC,” the statement added.
The BTC emphasised that the Oba of Benin, as the father of all Benin people, is the sole custodian of their customs and traditions.
It rejected the state government’s characterisation of the dispute as a mere family affair within the Benin Royal Family.
“The conflicts between the BTC and the Edo State Government began with the bitter dispute over ownership of ancient artefacts looted from the Palace of the Oba of Benin during the Benin Massacre of 1897,” the BTC insisted.
The Council also stressed the importance of non-interference in traditional matters, saying,: “Any matter that affects the customs and traditions of the Benin people, of which His Royal Majesty is the exclusive custodian, cannot be reduced to a family affair of the Benin Royal Family.”
