Ohanaeze Youth Council Condemns Oba of Benin for Suspending Igbanke Monarchs, Accuse Him of Annexation
Ohanaeze Youth Council Condemns Oba of Benin for Suspending Igbanke Monarchs, Accuse Him of Annexation
The Ohanaeze Youth Council, a youth wing of Igbo socio-cultural organization has strongly condemned the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, over the suspension of six Igbanke monarchs and an alleged plot to annex an Igbo clan.
According to reports, the Oba of Benin had suspended the six monarchs, who are of Igbo extraction, from their positions as Enigies (Dukes) in the Benin Kingdom.
The suspension was reportedly due to their refusal to recognize the Oba’s authority over their territories.
The Ohanaeze Youth Council described the suspension as an affront to the Igbo people and a blatant attempt to undermine their cultural and traditional institutions.
The council has also accused the Oba of Benin of plotting to annex the Igbo clan of Igbanke, which is located in the Edo State, and incorporate it into the Benin Kingdom.
In a statement, the Ohanaeze Youth Council’s Secretary General, Ifeanyichukwu Nweke, and National Publicity Secretary, Ukpabi Michael, expressed strong opposition to the Oba’s actions, stating that “the Igbo people will not stand idly by while their cultural and traditional institutions are being undermined and their territories are being annexed by another kingdom.”
They further stated that “the Oba of Benin has no authority over the Igbo people or their territories, and any attempt to exert such authority will be met with fierce resistance.”
They called on the Nigerian government to intervene in the matter and protect the rights and interests of the Igbo people.
The Ohanaeze Council has also threatened to mobilize the Igbo people and their allies to resist any attempt by the Oba of Benin to annex the Igbane clan or undermine the authority of the Igbo monarchs. The council has vowed to take all necessary steps to protect the cultural, traditional, and territorial integrity of the Igbo people.
The development has sparked tensions between the Igbo and Edo communities, with many calling for calm and restraint. The Nigerian government has been urged to intervene in the matter to prevent the escalation of the crisis.
In a related development, the Edo State Government has denied any involvement in the suspension of the six Igbanke monarchs, stating that the matter is an internal affair of the Benin Kingdom.
The government has, however, called for calm and restraint, urging all parties to resolve their differences through dialogue and peaceful means.
The crisis has highlighted the complex and sensitive nature of inter-ethnic relations in Nigeria, where cultural, traditional, and territorial disputes can easily escalate into major conflicts.
The Nigerian government and other stakeholders have been urged to take proactive steps to address the root causes of the crisis and prevent the escalation of tensions between the Igbo and Edo communities.
As the situation continues to unfold, the Ohanaeze Council has vowed to remain vigilant and protect the interests of the Igbo people, while the Oba of Benin has maintained that his actions are aimed at maintaining the integrity and authority of the Benin Kingdom.
The outcome of the crisis remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the fate of the Igbanke clan and the future of inter-ethnic relations in Nigeria hang in the balance.
