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From Tony Osauzo, Benin
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, yesterday, abolished the new traditional councils in Edo South, created by the immediate-past Godwin Obaseki’s administration.
The creation of the traditional councils had led to legal action instituted by some Enigie (Dukes) against the Oba of Benin.
Beside abolishing the contentious traditional councils, Governor Okpebholo, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, said he had restored the statutory financial entitlements of the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) and ordered that the status quo before the creation of the now abolished councils be maintained.
“Also, the State Government is withdrawing the letter revoking the concession of the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre issued by the last administration to be used as a motor park.
“This administration is restoring the centre to a suitable condition for its original purpose.”
It also said that in a bid to further right the wrongs of the immediate-past administration and foster cordial relations between the government and the people, Governor Okpebholo, has restored the full statutory rights of the Benin monarch over the contentious issue of the ownership of ancient artefacts looted from the palace of the Oba of Benin during the 1897 Benin Massacre by the British colonial forces.
The statement, however, acknowledged that the Federal Government has also issued a gazette for the recognition of ownership and custody of the repatriated Benin artefacts to Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II through a government notice N0 25 in the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette N0 57, Volume 110.
“The Okpebholo administration is backing the initial plan by the state government to build the Benin Royal Museum that will house the returned artefacts and is distancing itself from the Museum of West Africa Art (MOWA) which the previous administration fronted as the museum to hold the returned Benin artefacts.
“Governor Okpebholo respects the rights and privileges of the traditional ruler of Benin Kingdom, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare ll, and pledges the support of his administration to ensure the monarch plays his role as the custodian of the rich cultural heritage of Benin people.
“It is in recognition of this that the administration of Governor Okpebholo shall support the decision of the Federal Government to uphold the Oba of Benin as the exclusive owner of the returned Benin artefacts that were looted by the British Colonial forces during the Benin Massacre of 1897.
“The Oba of Benin, as the father of all Benin people, is the sole custodian of the customs and traditions of the Benin people and my administration respects customs and traditions in the land, and hereby restores the statutory rights of the Oba of Benin as the true custodian of the returned Benin artefacts,” the statement added.
Governor Okpebholo expressed his administration’s commitment and said he would refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of the Benin traditional council.
“The Governor is using his constitutional powers and the respect for traditional institutions and the revered Oba of Benin to restore all other statutory rights of the monarch not mentioned hereof,” the statement noted.
