Oba of Benin debunks insulting Buhari, Oshiomhole, others

Ayo Alonge

His Royal Majesty, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolopolo, Ewuare II, has debunked authorising anyone to insult the Federal Government or other respected Nigerians on his behalf.

The Oba was reacting to a trending video on social media anchored by one Eranornigho Edegbe, who claimed to have the backing of Oba when he vented insults on President Muhammadu Buhari and other respected members of the society.

In a press release made available to Daily Sun, the Secretary Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabo, stated that Adams Oshiomhole had always respected not just the traditional institutions in Edo State, but also the Palace of the Oba of Benin.

The Oba also described Captain Hosa Okunbo as an illustrious son of the Palace of the Oba of Benin.

The statement reads:

‘The attention of the Palace of the Oba of Benin has been drawn to a recent video trending on social media anchored by one Eranornigho Edegbe stating that he has the authority of His Royal Majesty. Omo N’ Oba N ‘Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, Oba of Benin, to hurl invectives and insults at His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR. and a few other respected members of society.

‘For the purposes of clarification, and to set the records straight, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, Oba of Benin, wish to make it categorically and irrevocably clear that the said video and the contents therein was not commissioned nor was it encouraged by His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, Oba of Benin. We condemn in the strongest terms the malicious attacks on the integrity of His Excellency, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, and all other persons the video seeks to malign.

‘We wish to state unequivocally that our love for Mr President is unparalleled as the relationship shared date back to the days of His Royal Majesty, Oba Erediauwa (of blessed memory), the immediate past Oba of Benin. This relationship was further strengthened when Mr President headed the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTFJ. His Excellency was always very nice, warm. respectful and accommodating to our father his royal majesty Oba Ereduwa Mr President has extended same to HIS ROYAL MAJESTY, OMO N’OBA N’EDO, UKU AKPOLOKPOLO, EWUARE II, OBA OF BENIN. In our avowed stance of non-partisanship, we are in constant prayers that His Excellency’s desires will fully manifest in Edo State for the benefit of the Benin Royal Family Edo people and, the nation as a whole. Thus, our prayers and support for Mr President is enormous.

‘We also wish to state that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has always respected not just the traditional Institutions in Edo State, but also the Palace of the Oba of Benin. His affection for our father who adopted the Comrade as a son is well known. This relationship was also reinforced during his tenure as Governor of Edo State. We were happy to convene a send forth for him upon the expiration of his two-terms, where HIS ROYAL MAJESTY used the Ada of the ancestors to pray for his protection, a thing quite rare in Benin custom; we are glad that the prayers said on him continue to be efficacious in his endeavours.

‘Captain Hosa Okunbol is an illustrious son of the Palace of the Oba of Benin, who at all times has worked in support of the Palace as a son of the Oba of Benin, thus, there can be nothing but goodwill and positive prayers for this distinguished son of the Benin Kingdom.

‘These utterances and behaviour or Eranornigho and his cohorts show that they are not happy and comfortable with the relationship between the Palace of the Oba of Benin and the Presidency.

‘Furthermore, shows that some disgruntled elements like Eranomigho have deep animosity against Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and Captain Hosa Okunbo.

‘The video under reference and all such made in similar vein should be seen for what they really are, as they seek to propagate ‘fake news’, misinformation, disaffection, and misrepresentation for their own selfish and mischievous intentions. The recent fake news is akin to an audio one that claimed HIS ROYAL MAJESTY has directed all Bini people not to sweep their homes for three days in order to avoid the coronavirus pandemic which they knew very well was contrary to keeping everywhere disinfected as well as hand washing, using hand sanitisers and practising social distancing protocols, all part of the NCDC PANDEMIC PREVENTION MEASURES. We also had to refute that immediately.

‘The antecedents of social media rats and their roguish antics and activities are a global malaise, and should not be taken seriously by rational, reasonable and responsible members of society as their action is driven by their quest to satisfy their hunger and their desperation to scrounge for a means of livelihood.

‘We wish to reassure His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria… that they enjoy the confidence and goodwill or His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, Oba of Benin.

‘We use this medium to sound a note of caution to members of the public to totally disregard and discountenance the statements made in the said video and to further warn that this attempt and similar attempts to bring the Palace of the Oba of Benin and the revered institution of the Benin monarchy into disrepute shall be met stiffly within the parameters of the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the traditional processes or the Benin Kingdom.

‘Eranomigho and his cohorts are hereby reminded that there is an ancestral curse on anyone who attempts to tarnish the image of the Oba of Benin and the ancient Throne of Benin Kingdom. The Benin Traditional Council hereby demands an unreserved apology from Eranomigho in other to avert the consequences.’