No fewer than 60 Benin Dukes (Enigies) have backed out of calls by disgruntled Dukes on the Edo state government to create a parallel Benin Traditional Rulers Council (BTRC) for the seven local government areas in Edo south Senatorial District.
The dukes denied the plot and described some disgruntled duke’s request to break up Benin Kingdom as absurdly illogical and a threat to “the very source of our creation.”
This was contained in a letter addressed to Governor Godwin Obaseki.
The loyal Duke’s letter, dated May 22nd 2023 comes few months after some rebellious Dukes conspired and petitioned Ewuare II, Oba of Benin to Governor Obaseki and requested the creation of BTRC across the seven local government areas.
The letter was signed by Osagiede Festus (Enogie of Iguogbe), Igbinidu Idurobo Ernest (Enogie of Uwan-Esigie), Alfred Osagie Erhauyi (Enogie of Iyanomo), Anthony Osagie (Enogie of Umegbe) and others, who pledged their loyalty to Ewuare II, Oba of Benin.
The traditional rulers urged the state government not to grant the request by “contemptible interlopers who lack the courage of their own conviction, to undermine peace and cohesion in Benin Kingdom in particular and Edo state at large.
“For some form of autonomy, there’s powers and independence Oba Ewuare II, whose forefathers and by definition our ancestors initiated the structure of Enigie and still appoints Enigies till date.
“Arising from the above, we the undersigned have since realised that we erred and have also gone to the palace for atonement for our sins and apologised physically to His Royal Majesty, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, the Oba of Benin for this our regrettable misstep borne out of inadequate knowledge.”
