Sources: How Edo government resolved Benin traditional council face-off with ‘Enigie’

The suspended Enigie (dukes) who were recently recalled and feted by the Oba of Benin, Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, the chairman of the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), were readmitted in the wake of moves by the Edo state government to harmonise the traditional system in the state, sources have informed TheCable.

Officials with knowledge of the resolution of the impasse said the truce was reached “in pursuit of harmony within the traditional administration system in the state”.

The Enigie were suspended after a letter signed by the Dukes in November 2022 was made public.

The traditional rulers had called for proper functioning of the BTC across the seven Benin-speaking LGAs in Edo south senatorial district.

THE ‘OFFENSIVE’ LETTER

The letter, signed by Edomwonyi Iduozee Ogiegbaen, the Enogie of Siluko, read: “We the Enigie of the Local Government Areas of Edo South, who enjoy recognition as Traditional Rulers in the Schedule to the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law of Bendel State (1979), as applicable in Edo State, bring to your Excellency our warm felicitations and best wishes.

“We use this occasion to request that Your Excellency kindly exercises the prerogative conferred on your exalted office by Part 7, Section 45 of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law, at this critical stage in the development of our dear State, to establish Traditional Councils for the Local Government Areas of Oredo, Egor, Ikpoba Okha, Orhionmwon, Uhunmwonde, Ovia North East, Ovia South West of Edo State.”

“In making the request, we are mindful of our duties to formulate general proposals, advice and guidance to our respective Local Government Councils, and assist in the maintenance of law and order therein.”

THE SUPENSION AND SOLUTION

The dukes were suspended by the Oba, with insinuations that their action was tantamount to a “palace coup”.

However, a few days ago, the Enigie were feted at the Oba of Benin palace and they went home with gifts after the crisis was resolved.

It has since emerged that the state government had insisted that more of the resources allocated to the BTC “should be allowed to spread to all the actors within the system” — just as it obtains in Edo central and Edo north senatorial districts.

The state government relates with the traditional councils of the three senatorial districts through their chairmen.

But while the system operates seamlessly in the north and central, the case of the south is different.

The source, who noted that the move by the state government was intended to restore order, said: “As far as Edo state government is concerned, traditional rulers are part of institutions that ensure social cohesion which leads to enhanced security and peaceful co-existence in communities. For this to happen, the institutions must be harmonised and all resources, both man and material, must be seen to be percolating to the lowest organs within the traditional system. This was not the case before and had to be corrected.

“It was against this backdrop that the move was initiated to ensure order and harmony within the BTC in Edo south. This has led to this resolution and a truce within the council. The Edo state government has committed to supporting the Oba of Benin, as the leader of the council as well as all the other traditional leaders in Edo south and ensure that they live up to their obligations to serve the people within their domain.”