On the Igbinedion’s
desecration of Edo monarchy
By Johnny Bob, Delta State.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
The outrage in Benin monarchy over the desecration of the
Benin custom, tradition and authority has not gone down well
with Edo people both at home and in Diaspora. We are particularly
grieved by the fact that the revered Edo monarchy, renowned
for being devoid of conflict of any kind, has allegedly been
desecrated by no other person than Chief Gabriel Igbinedion,
an illustrous son of Edo State.
We Edo people take a great deal of pride in our traditional
institution, obviously due to the fact that it is highly revered
from time immemorial and devoid of succession conflicts, among
other reasons. Nobody conflicts with the Oba as far as Edo
tradition is concerned. So it is quite startling to realize
that someone flagrantly insulted this socio-cultural order.
Admittedly, this is not the first time that Igbinedion has
been accused of trivializing the Edo Monarchy.But with the
recent record of more than one grievious offences, Igbinedion
cannot be presumed to be innocent.
To the Monarch chagrin, Igbinedion has continued to mingle
with the Ooni of Ife, in spite of his awareness of the Ooni's
fall-out with the Oba of Benin over glaring hitorical facts
that the Oba scholarly presented in recent years. How many
minutes will it take Igbinedion as a mark of respect, to usher
his eminent guests, His Royal Majesty,Otumfou Osei Tutu II,
Ashantehen of Kumasi, the Most Hon. PJ.Petterson and the Ooni
of Ife, Alayeluwa,Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II to pay a
visit to the Oba of Benin, whose palace is located at the
heart of Benin City? More so, why offer royal beads to the
visitors, a function that is the preserve of the Oba? Clearly
Igbinedion cannot feign ignorance.This shows contempt.He certainly
cannot absolve himself of the blame neither can the Vice-Chancellor
Prof.Eghosa Osaghae and those indicted over the mess.
We Edo people are quite satisfied with the manner the palace
handled the issue, especially the way they gave the accused
fair hearing and the opportunity to defend themselves of the
allegations as well as the sanctions meted out to them. This
would serve as a deterant to further desecration of the rich
monarchy tradition.
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