BENIN CITY: The Benin Traditional Council (BTC) has dissociated the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, CFR, from the recent assault on Pedro Obaseki, describing the incident as unauthorised and completely alien to the values of the revered Benin throne.
In a public announcement issued from the Oba of Benin Palace on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, the Council stressed that the incident was neither sanctioned nor could it ever be sanctioned by the Oba, noting that violence, intimidation and mob action run contrary to the character, principles and long-standing traditions of the monarch.
According to the statement, the Oba of Benin remains a peace-loving father to all, committed to harmony, justice, unity and the preservation of law and order within the Benin Kingdom and beyond.
The Council emphasised that any suggestion or impression that the palace endorsed or approved the use of violence is false, misleading and unfounded.
The BTC used the opportunity to strongly caution youths across the kingdom against taking the law into their own hands, regardless of provocation, warning that such actions threaten public peace and undermine established legal and security processes.
“Youths are advised to always respect the laws of the land in their actions and utterances, and to allow appropriate security agencies to handle all matters,” the statement said, while reaffirming confidence in lawful institutions to address grievances.
The Council also admonished social media users to exercise restraint and responsibility, urging them to verify information before sharing, in order to prevent the spread of falsehoods capable of inflaming tensions or tarnishing reputations.
As the year draws to a close, the Oba of Benin extended goodwill messages to the people, wishing them a peaceful and prosperous New Year, while reaffirming his unwavering commitment to unity, peace and the wellbeing of the people of the kingdom.
