BENIN CITY – His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, Oba of Benin, has condemned what he described as a calculated attempt by some Enigie in Igbanke to undermine the centuries-old Benin traditional institution through moves he labelled rebellious and conspiratorial.
Speaking during an interactive session with journalists at his palace in Benin City, the revered monarch expressed dismay over the actions of the suspended Enigie from Igbanke in Edo South Senatorial District, who, he said, had not only rejected the authority of the Benin Palace, but also attempted to realign their allegiance, claiming to be “Eze” from neighbouring Delta State.
The Oba highlighted the inconsistency and opportunism of these traditional title holders, stating: “Enigie today, Eze tomorrow.
“When they held conspiratorial meetings in Benin, they were Enigie; when they included their names among the Enigie, they wanted the governor to create a separate council of traditional rulers for them. Now, after suspension for acts of rebellion, they suddenly claim to be Eze.”
The monarch linked this latest development to a long history of plots aimed at diminishing the Palace’s authority, recalling how even during the reign of his grandfather, Oba Akenzua II, a wartime military administrator of the Midwest Region deliberately constructed a high-rise building directly in front of the Palace – against objections – to spite the royal institution.
“It is a known fact that tall buildings should not be erected close to a traditional ruler’s palace because they threaten the ruler’s privacy, especially on sacred palace grounds,” he noted, adding that the controversial building, now housing Unity Bank, stands as a reminder of past hostilities towards the monarchy.
Oba Ewuare II lamented the irony of how certain individuals, once uplifted by the Palace, later turned against it. He recounted how his father, Oba Erediauwa, used his influence with the Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, to elevate one such individual to the position of military governor, erasing negative narratives against the Midwest Region during the civil war, only for that same individual to become a source of palace antagonism.
“These are examples of how far some have gone, over generations, to weaken the authority of the Benin Palace, but by the grace of God and our ancestors, their efforts have failed and will continue to fail,” the monarch declared.
He called on journalists to uphold professionalism by supporting the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo, whom he described as a friend of the Palace and a purposeful leader committed to the development of Edo State.
The Oba praised the governor’s strides in road, school, health, and bridge construction, saying these infrastructural efforts have rekindled hope among Edo people.
Reflecting on the immediate past administration, the Oba recounted a period of strained relations under Governor Godwin Obaseki, which he described as an era of “anti-palace antagonism.”
He disclosed that during a seven-month period, allocations meant for the Benin Traditional Council were withheld, forcing him to personally fund palace operations.
“For seven months, not a kobo was given to the Palace. I had to personally find money to pay staff salaries. Grasses grew tall across palace grounds because we had no money to clear them,” he recalled.
The monarch reiterated his call for constitutional roles to be assigned to traditional rulers in Nigeria, just as his father had advocated in a research paper presented at the University of Benin.
He, however, cautioned that before such roles are formalised, the law must clearly define who qualifies as a traditional ruler, warning against individuals who engage in acts detrimental to the dignity of traditional institutions.
Oba Ewuare II further advised traditional rulers to avoid involvement in partisan politics and criminal activities, urging them instead to uphold the honour and cultural heritage entrusted to them.
