•Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State
Edo State Government has ratified the decision of the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, to suspend 71 Enigie (Dukes) in Benin Kingdom, thereby overriding five executive orders issued by former governor, Godwin Obaseki.
Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paul Ohonbamu, who made the disclosure yesterday, after the State Executive Council (Exco) meeting at the Government House in Benin, said the Exco approved the ratification of the suspension of the Enigie (Dukes), a move aimed at maintaining order and discipline in the state’s traditional institution.
He said the actions of the Enigie (Dukes) amounted to a cultural coup d’état, when they attempted to overthrow the Oba of Benin, reports The Nation.
This move, Ohonbamu said, marked a significant development, given the approval and ratification of the suspended rebellious Enigie (Dukes) against the first-class monarch.
The Benin Traditional Council (BTC) had announced the suspension of the 71 Enigie (Dukes) in Benin Kingdom, alleging that they engaged in anti-palace and rebellious activities against the Oba of Benin.
The Commissioner for Information and Communications said the former administration of Obaseki attempted to carry out the balkanisation of Benin kingdom, using five executive orders available to him, which had been vacated by Governor Monday Okpebholo, using one executive order.
He said the act was orchestrated by the last administration, when Obaseki allegedly picked some Enigie (Dukes) to act rebelliously against the palace of the Oba of Benin.
Ohonbamu pointed out some of the critical issues, including the vow made by the Enigie (Dukes) never to honour the Oba of Benin’s call, go to the palace, or pay allegiance to the foremost traditional ruler.
He described the position of the Benin monarch as a repository of the rights, divinity, law and the power of the Benin kingdom, which consists of seven local governments, namely Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha, Egor, Ovia Northeast, Ovia Southwest, Orhionmwon and Uhunmwonde, in Edo South Senatorial District.
The commissioner stressed that all Benin people, no matter how highly placed, derived validity from the Oba of Benin, noting that the eminent monarch was not only powerful, ‘’he does not make mistakes or apologise.’’
