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Tag: Enigie

  • 40 suspended Enigie appeal to Oba of Benin for clemency

    40 suspended Enigie appeal to Oba of Benin for clemency

    Some of the 67 suspended Enigie (Dukes) of the Benin Kingdom have appealed to the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, for clemency and forgiveness.

    Their appeal is contained in a statement signed by Victor Etinosa Oguigo of Ugoniyekikpoba Dukedom on Wednesday in Benin.

    Oguigo emphasised that it would be “suicidal for one to wrestle with his personal God, whom the Oba represents in our individual lives.”

    NAN recalls that their suspension on March 7, 2025, was due to alleged anti-palace and rebellious activities against the Oba of Benin.

    Oba Ewuare II had approved the suspension of 67 Enigie across seven local government areas in the Benin Kingdom.

    The suspension was announced by the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor.

    The Edo State Government ratified the suspension by overriding five executive orders issued by former Gov. Godwin Obaseki with a single executive order.

    The State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Paul Ohonbamu, the move was aimed at maintaining order and discipline within the state’s traditional institution.

    Ohonbamu stated that the actions of the Enigie amounted to a “Cultural Coup d’état” as they attempted to challenge the authority of the Oba of Benin.

    However, these 40 Enigie denied any misconduct, reiterating that it would be “suicidal” to go against the Oba, whom they regard as their personal God.

    They assured the Oba that they never swore any oath against him or the palace and expressed their willingness to continue fulfilling their duties and obligation.

    “We, therefore, appeal most passionately for Your Majesty to show compassion and forgive any or all of our shortcomings.

    “As our father, it is often said that ‘the hand used to discipline a child is the same hand that draws him close.

    “We categorically state that at no time did any of the Enigie swear an oath not to pay allegiance to Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, CFR, Oba of Benin.”

    They therefore  pleaded, saying, “Your Majesty, we humbly appeal to you to temper justice with mercy and forgive us all.

    “We are prepared and willing to appear before Your Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, at your invitation.”

  • Suspended Enigie: ‘It’s abominable for individual to interfere in age-long Customary Arbitration’ – BTC Cautions Obaseki

    Suspended Enigie: ‘It’s abominable for individual to interfere in age-long Customary Arbitration’ – BTC Cautions Obaseki

    Benin Traditional Council (BTC) has cautioned Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State to stir clear on his acclaimed move to resolve the misunderstanding between Oba of Benin and some suspended enigie (dukes).

    Recall that some enigie had dragged the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II and the state government to court over their suspension.

    The Enigie argument is that the Oba does not have the power to suspend them without the consent of the state executive council and Governor Obaseki.

    Obaseki, in one of visits to one of the suspended enigie in the crisis, Professor Gregory Akenzua, said he would visit the Iyase (Prime Minister) of Benin to initiate the reconciliation process.

    But the BTC in a strong-worded statement dated May 22, 2024, said it was an abomination for any individual to seek to interfere with the age-long and well-established process of customary arbitration of the kingdom which they expected those involved to explore.

    The statement was signed by prominent Benin chiefs including: Osuma of Benin, Chief Norense Ozigbo-Esere; Oliha of Benin, Chief Edionwe Oliha; Aiwerioghene of Benin, Chief Henry Osato Bazuaye; Uwangue of Benin, Chief Ekhoerovbiye Oviasogie and Eribo of Benin, Chief Ada Igbinovia.

    Others are Esere of Benin, Chief Stanley Obamwonyi; Obazelu of Benin, Chief Osaro Idah; Ine of Benin, Chief Okuonghae Edomwandagbon and Obahiagbon of Benin, Chief David Aibiokun Ehondor.

    The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to the reported plan by the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency,Mr. 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 filed 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 Royal Majesty, The Oba of Benin. This process of customary arbitration is well-known to all Benin traditional chiefs, including the suspended Enigie. Any traditional chief who has any genuine cause to be aggrieved is at liberty to explore this customary arbitration process. It is therefore an abomination for any individual to seek to interfere with this age-long and well-established process of customary arbitration.

    “We also wish to emphasize that His Royal Majesty, The Oba of Benin reigns over the Benin Kingdom 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 Majesty, The Oba of Benin is in dispute with those over whom he reigns, including members of the Royal Family.

    “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 the Benin Kingdom.”

  • Oba of Benin pardons rebellious Enigie

    Oba of Benin pardons rebellious Enigie

    Some rebellious Enigie (Dukes) have voluntarily returned and pledged their allegiance to the great Benin throne.

    A statement by Mr Iguobaro Osaigbovo, Chief Press Secretary to Oba to Benin, Oba Ewuare II, on Sunday, disclosed the pledge followed an alleged dramatic and failed coup to balkanize Benin Kingdom.

    He recalls that the Dukes claimed to have been misled in signing the purported letter in November, 2022, requesting the Edo State government to create a parallel Benin Traditional Rulers Council (BTC) for the seven Benin-speaking Local Government Areas, which make up Edo South Senatorial district.

    In line with his fatherly disposition, Ewuare II has accepted the apology of the Dukes and extended a hand of fellowship to them in the distribution of foodstuffs.

    In an interview with newsmen, HRH Sylvester Ogiesoba, the Enogie of Ogua village, and HRH Imagbenikaro Ekhosuehi, the Enogie of Oka N’ Izevbihen, both in Ikpoba-Okha local government area of the state, thanked Oba Ewuare II for the gesture.

    Also speaking, HRH Orobosa Agbongiazowe, the Enogie of Isievbe village, and HRH Usuanlele Iyengumena, the Enogie of Uma village, both in Uhunmwode Local government Area of Edo State, appreciated the Oba for the foodstuffs and prayed God and the ancestors to bless him.

    Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, the Enogie of Ehor village, HRH Ehigiamusoe Igiehon, his counterpart in Ihovbo village, both in Uhunmwode local government area, thanked the Oba of Benin for his kind gesture.

    Among others who also benefited from Oba’s kind gesture were the Priests of deities of various categories, including, Ohen-Awan of Ivbiotor village, Mr Egharevba Igbinehi; Ohen of Ikhuen-Obo, Mr Ekpen Aighobahi,  and Ohen Ovia of Unuamen N’ Igbinesigie, as well as Ohen Iye-Ewuare, Asenogua N’ Ohan-Obamumwen in Amufi village.