By By Muminat Ajide
The Oba of Benin in Edo State, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare II, has sanctioned the suspension of six palace officials for allegedly misrepresenting themselves as emissaries of the palace to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, at a recent event.
Chief Sam Igbe, speaking on behalf of the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), disclosed the suspension of the officials, including Johnbull Igbinosun, Iduhonre (Ihogbe), S.E. Aigbiremwen, Efesieoghoba (Ogbelaka), Ogbeide Osagie, and Osamudiame Edo.
The suspension stems from a video circulating on social media where the officials purportedly declared themselves subjects of the Ooni and misrepresented the historical connection between the Benin Royal Dynasty and the Ooni-ship of Ife.
The BTC condemns their conduct as sacrilegious and aims to uphold the integrity of Benin custom. As per the authority vested in Oba Ewuare II, the BTC announces the suspension of the individuals from their traditional roles and advises the public to refrain from engaging with them during this period.
Recall in 2016,a similar incident occurred when the Alake of Egba Land, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, sparked controversy by asserting that the Benin monarch ranked third among kings in the South-West. This statement reignited debates over supremacy within the region. Chief David Edebiri, the Esogban of Benin and Odionwere of the Kingdom, refuted the Alake’s assertion, asserting that the Ooni of Ife was a descendant of the Oba of Benin. He emphasized that the stature of the Oba of Benin couldn’t be equated with any Yoruba king.
In response, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwoland in Osun State, challenged the claim made by the Esogban, affirming that the Ooni of Ife holds the highest rank among Yoruba obas.
