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From Tony Osauzo, Benin
The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Oba Ewuare II, has warned that no part of Edo land will be ceded for the purpose of creating a new state, insisting that the territorial integrity of the kingdom remains sacrosanct.
The monarch issued the warning on Tuesday while receiving members of the Edo State Boundary Committee, led by the Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, during a courtesy visit to the Benin Palace. The visit also had in attendance the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Rowland Otaru, SAN, who cited several legal authorities affirming the Benin monarchy as one of the most revered and historically significant institutions in the world.
Oba Ewuare II questioned the renewed agitation for self-determination, noting that it gained prominence shortly after suspended Enigie (Benin Dukes), including some on the lower rung of the Benin Traditional Council, staged rebellions against the throne.
He reiterated that the Benin people would not tolerate any attempt to fragment Edo land under the guise of state creation.
While pledging his support to the Boundary Committee, which he acknowledged is composed of respected personalities across the state’s three senatorial districts, the Oba prayed for their success and urged them to protect the interests of the Edo people.
“You have distinguished and committed personalities in this Committee. No doubt you will do everything well for the people of Edo State,” the Oba said. “May God Almighty and our ancestors grant our prayers. However, I want to say that this Committee should not allow an inch of Edo State to be taken away for one reason or the other. I do not think that should happen.”
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Earlier in his address to the monarch, Deputy Governor Idahosa sought the Oba’s blessings to enable the Committee to effectively discharge its mandate as assigned by Governor Monday Okpebholo.
He drew the monarch’s attention to alleged injustices being committed by some oil majors operating in Edo State, especially in matters of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the denial of entitlements legally due to Edo communities.
Idahosa vowed that all oil wells and resources wrongly ceded in the past would be reclaimed for the state under the guidance of the Oba of Benin.
The Deputy Governor also disclosed that the 187 intra- and inter-boundary conflicts before the Committee were already receiving attention, noting that 90 percent of the cases were inherited from previous administrations.
“90 percent of the 187 cases of boundary disputes were inherited by the Governor Monday Okpebholo-led government,” he said. “You are aware that there was turbulence between the then deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, and former Governor Godwin Obaseki. I believe that is the reason why it accumulated.”
Idahosa assured that the Committee would work closely with the Benin Royal Palace to ensure justice, fairness, and the protection of the state’s territorial interests.
