Forty out of the 67 suspended Enigie (Dukes) of the Benin Kingdom have sought clemency from the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, pleading for forgiveness.
Their enchantment was conveyed in a statement signed by Victor Etinosa Oguigo of Ugoniyekikpoba Dukedom on Wednesday final week in Benin. Oguigo confused that defying the Oba, who represents their religious authority, can be akin to “wrestling with one’s private God.”
It will likely be recalled that the suspension of the Enigie on March 7, 2025, stemmed from allegations of anti-palace and rebellious actions in opposition to the Oba of Benin. The choice to droop the 67 Dukes throughout seven native authorities areas was authorised by Oba Ewuare II and introduced by the Secretary of the Benin Conventional Council, Frank Irabor.
The Edo State Authorities endorsed the suspension by nullifying 5 executive orders beforehand issued by former Governor Godwin Obaseki via a single govt order. State Commissioner for Info and Communication, Paul Ohonbamu, justified this motion as essential to uphold order and self-discipline inside the state’s conventional establishments.
Ohonbamu additional described the Enigie’s actions as a “Cultural Coup d’état,” accusing them of trying to problem the authority of the Oba of Benin. However, the 40 Enigie in query denied any wrongdoing, reaffirming their loyalty to the Oba and emphasising that opposing him can be “suicidal.”
They maintained that at no level did they swear any oath in opposition to the Oba or the palace and expressed their unwavering dedication to their conventional duties.
“We passionately enchantment to Your Majesty to increase compassion and forgive any of our perceived shortcomings. As our father, it’s typically stated that the identical hand used to self-discipline a toddler is the one which embraces him in love,” they pleaded.
The Enigie additionally reassured their unwavering allegiance to the Oba, stating, “At no time did any of us take an oath to renounce our loyalty to Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, CFR, Oba of Benin.”
Of their concluding plea, they humbly requested, “Your Majesty, we honestly enchantment to you to mood justice with mercy and grant us forgiveness. We’re ready and keen to look earlier than Your Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, at your invitation.”
