The Edo State Government has threatened sanctions against proponents of the planned coronation of Idriss Addano as the ‘Sultan of Shuwa Arab of Edo State’.

Secretary to the Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie, in a statement on Thursday, also described the purported move as sacrilegious and a threat to peace and security in the State.

Recall that Organisers of Shuwa Arabs, which is an ethnic group from Borno, is schedule to be unveiled on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22nd 2021 at a popular hotel in Aduwawa, Uhumwonde Local Government Area of the State, amidst outrage.

Ogie assured citizens that firm and decisive action will be taken to prevent the actualization of the illegal and sacrilegious act.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Government has been inundated with complaints from indigenes and residents of the state over the purported move to embark on the coronation of one Idriss Addano as ‘Sultan of Shuwa Arab of Edo State’.

“The Edo State Government wishes to state as follows: That whether or not this event is held at the said, or any other location within the state, it would constitute a direct assault on the traditions, custom and culture of the people of Edo State, by individuals who clearly have sinister motives and are trying to abuse the well-known Edo hospitality by their act of sacrilege.

“That it is a potential threat to the peace and security of Edo State, with the capacity to cause a breakdown of law and order as citizens of the state are likely to be provoked by the obnoxious Ceremony.

“Under the Edo State Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law, it is an offence for anyone to proclaim himself, or allow himself to be proclaimed as the holder of any traditional title not recognized under the said law and/or without the approval of the appropriate authorities”.

According to Ogie, “The state government hereby wishes to assure all concerned that firm and decisive action will be taken to prevent the actualization of this illegal and sacrilegious act and that all persons found to have been involved in the conception and/or execution would face the full wrath of the law.”

“The Edo State Government, therefore, calls on all citizens to be calm, law-abiding and rest assured that government is firmly on top of the situation,” he assured.

In the meantime, Faith based Organizations, pressure groups and individuals from Edo State have asked organisers of the programme of activities to shelve the Ceremony in the interest of peace.

They also condemned the abominable act under the watch of the Benin monarch and the paramount traditional ruler in the State, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II.

In his reaction to the purported plans, President Benin Solidarity Movement, BSM, Elder Curtis Eghosa Ugbo, said the Benins will do all it take to resist the abominable act by few persons who are bent on disrupting the peace in Edo State.

“This will never happen in Benin Kingdom, we are Benin people”, he said.

On his part, the Coordinator general, Great Benin Descendants, Mr. Imasuen Izoduwa, ppealed to relevant authorities to wade in in order to avert bloodletting.

“We will meet later today so we can sealed the venue by tomorrow or next for allowing such nonsense in our land. Enough is enough, I will no longer take any of this ‘shit’ in our Kingdom”.

In the meantime, organisers of the programme have modified the invitation for the coronation.

The event is now to be known as the turbanning of Idriss Addano as the ‘Sultan of Shuwa Arab of Edo State.

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