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From Tony Osauzo, Benin
A section of the Enigie (dukes) of Benin Kingdom has pledged loyalty to the palace of the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edu Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II.
The Enigie who spoke at the Benin Airport while waiting to receive the Oba from his tour outside the country, said they were offshoot of the palace and would never be part of any action that would divide the Benin Kingdom.
The dukes have been divided over the decision of the state government to implement the 1979 Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Act that tends to divide the Benin kingdom that is home to seven local government areas of state with various dukes heading the several villages on behalf of the Oba of Benin. Some of the dukes recently paid a solidarity visit to Governor Godwin Obaseki while others have said the implementation of the law is tantamount to dividing the kingdom.
But at the airport yesterday, the Enigie said they remained attached to the palace.
Speaking on their behalf, Dr. Festus Ayeki, the Enogie of Iguogie said “We are here today to welcome our great Oba, The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II back from a tour.
“You know he has not been around for some time now, we are happy receiving him back, we are also here to tell the world that we are fully behind the Oba that our Oba is the paramount ruler of Benin kingdom that it is through him we are called Enigie, what we are trying to tell the world is that Benin Kingdom is not divisible, nobody can divide the Benin Kingdom that is what we stand for and we are not part of anything that will divide Edo that is the stand of all the enigie you see here.”
Also speaking, his counterpart from Ihovbor, Fortune Igbanikenzua, said “We are not enemies to the oba, we are his subjects and we remain loyal to his service and we will do all we can to ensure that there is peace and stability in Edo State’’, he said.
The Iyase of Udo, Chief Patrick Igbinidu told journalists: “We are waiting for the arrival of the monarch. It is a good thing to receive our Oba today. Apart from that, this is my 13th year as the Iyase, the Oba is our head, there is no doubt about it. He is our father and we are all behind him.”
At the airport were several groups, associations, various categories of palace chiefs and functionaries that trooped out to receive the Benin monarch.
