From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has blamed the past administration in Edo State of deliberately starving the palace of its statutory funds.
He made the allegation during a parley with the Journalists in his palace in Benin City.
Ewuare II alleged that at first, the government slashed the funds to the palace before eventually putting a stop to it, an act which lasted for seven months.
The monarch said, during that period, the palace has to take responsibility of paying the palace staff and clearing the weeds around its surroundings.
He said slashing and putting an end to the funds going to the palace was meant to undermine it adding that, that was not the first time efforts have been made to undermine the palace but God and his ancestors did not allow them to prevail.
The royal father alleged that in time past, his grandfather helped a military administration because of how close he was with the military officer but at the end, the military personnel ordered that a storey building be erected on a sacred ground opposite the palace, just to spite it.
He however vowed that all the sacred grounds hitherto taken over would be reclaimed.
The monarch while commending the present administration led by Monday Okpebholo for restoring the full entitlement to the palace and displaying a high sense of respect to the traditional institution, commended the federal government in its role thus for the return of the looted Benin artifacts.
He also urged residents in the state to cooperate with the present administration to enable him deliver on his electionnaire promises.
Speaking on the issue of some Enigie in Igbanke claiming now to be Ezes and that the Igbankes are now Ibos and not Benins, he said that was not true and that the Igbankes are part of Benin Kingdom.
He said those Enigie who are claiming now to be Ezes were among the chiefs who were suspended by the Palace for underming the palace.
The monarch while making case for constitutional review where the traditional rulers can adequately perform their functions, he said the critical aspect that has to be looked into, is to exactly define who is a traditional ruler.
He said knowing what a traditional ruler means, will help checkmate its abuses and make things right.
Earlier, chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State council, Dr. Festus Alenkhe commended Oba for his fatherly role to the Journalists in the state.
He promised to work with the palace to ensure that news from the palace is adequately reported and not distorted.