Idahosa Moses
Residents of Abudu and five other neighbouring communities in Orhionmwon Local Government Council, Edo State, have accused the Enogie (Duke) of Evbuobanosa Dukedom, Prof. Gregory Akenzua, of allegedly masterminding a revolt against the Benin monarch, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II.
The people who made the allegations during a peaceful protest at the palace of the Oba in Benin City expressed dismay over what they described as sacrilegious activities of the Duke.
The development could not be unconnected with the recent dethronement of the Duke of Egbaen Siluko Dukedom, Mr Edomwonyi Iduozee Ogiegbaen, who allegedly led other Dukes to petition the Benin monarch to the State government.
Ogiegbaen and others were said to have requested the constitution of the Traditional Council for Edo South Local government Areas in what was described by many as a bid to divide Benin Kingdom.
One of the spokespersons for the protesters, Mr Osayande Samuel, appealed to the Oba of Benin to come to their rescue, alleging the hostilities between the Duke and elders in the area began after they resisted attempts by the Duke to trade off the large expanse of their Communal land to some multinationals.
Also speaking, Mr Osakpamwan Oviasuyi, declared the Duke as unfit to lead the Evbuobanosa Dukedom which he claimed jointly signed a petition against the Oba with the deposed Enogie of Egbaen Siluko.
Oviasuyi, who spoke in Edo language, said, “We are in Oba palace because our Enogie joined the former Ogiegbaen to a petition against the court.
“That action of the Duke is an abomination that stands condemned; That is why are here to inform the palace that we did not author the petition”.
Corroborating the claims of Samuel and Oviasuyi, Patrick Uwumarenogie Aisien, a native of the Idu-dolor Community, distanced his people from the alleged plot by forming a parallel Benin Traditional Council in the Kingdom.
Addressing the protesters on behalf of the Oba, Chief Stanley Obamwonyi, the Esere of Benin advised the protesters to be law-abiding and shun violence.
Recall that in April 2022, Oba Ewuare II separated the Abudu community from Evbuobanosa which Prof. Akenzua formerly administered for administrative convenience.
The Oba also proclaimed Abudu Autonomous Community and appointed an Odionwere (village head) to administer the area.
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