My relationship with Oba of Benin, by Obaseki

says…we don’t’ mess around our traditional institution

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State says there is no bitter row between him and Omo N’ Oba N’ Oba, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin two years after he visited the royal father’s palace in Benin City, the State Capital.

In his attempt to paper around the crack, said his administration has been trying to separate the highly revered traditional institution from politicians to the advantage of actors.

He disclosed this late Thursday during Channels Television interview where he clarified that his relationship with the first Class traditional ruler has not gone sour, admitting that nobody can mess up with the traditional institution.

“Nothing has gone sour. What we try to do is to separate the traditional institution, which we revered so much from our politics. Politicians try to drag the traditional institution into politics for some advantages or the other.

“So, what we have done as a government is to separate this heritage that we have from politics. We can mess with ourselves, but we can’t mess around our traditional institution”, according to Obaseki.

TheNewspad recalls that two suspended Enogie (Benin Duke) of Evbuobanosa alongside his counterpart at Egbaen Siluko Dukedoms in Benin, Prof. Gregory Akenzua and Mr Edomwonyi Ogiegbaen), are challenging Oba Ewuare’s authority in Court against their suspension from office, following allegation of spearheading rebellion against the monarch.

Obaseki’s multi-dimensional war of attrition with Oba palace snowballed into a full-scale after the former met selected Enigie (Dukes) in Edo South Senatorial District in Government House in Benin City, Edo State.

The Enigie was led by Prof. Akenzua, who persuaded the Governor to agree on the mode of implementation of the 1979 Edict (Traditional Rulers and Chieftaincy Law).

Akenzua and his supporters believe that the law grants Enigie independence from the Oba of Benin in the seven (7) Local Government Areas of Edo South Senatorial District in the State.

The allocation to the Enigie, which was formerly tied to the Palace, was withdrawn from the Oba and paid directly to dissident Enigie by Governor Godwin Obaseki-led Government.

In addition, the State government sponsored advertorial on National Newspapers how the monies for traditional rulers in the State were shared.

To give flesh to the above conception, the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice letter issued on the 5th of March 2024, secured order of Court for discontinuation of Police charge on alleged impersonation against Prof. Akenzua.

He enjoys the backing of the Governor under whose watch, Oba of Benin monthly allocations were withheld for months before they later released by the government, which has persistently denied any wrong doing in the saga.