Pan Yoruba groups praise suspended chiefs for “speaking truth to power”
By Omolade Adegbuyi
The Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, has suspended some traditional chiefs for expressing allegiance to Ile-Ife.
The Oba of Benin has been a subject of controversy over his attempt to rewrite the history of his dynasty which for over 700 years has never been disputed to be linked to Ile Ife.
The father of the current Oba of Benin launched a revisionist tirade in 1987 when he created a myth about Ekalekadeha saying he was the same as Oduduwa and that he migrated from Benin.
No history book, even those written by Benin scholars ever supported such spurious claims.
But his son, who is now the Oba of Benin has continued to defiantly promote the false narration to the embarrassment of scholars across the world.
The Oba of Benin accused the Chiefs of “sacrilegious show of shame and falsehood against the Benin Custom.”
The affected Chiefs are Johnbull Igbinosun, Iduhonre (Ihogbe), S.E. Aigbiremwen, Efesieoghoba (Ogbelaka) and two other Ogbelaka officials, Ogbeide Osagie and Osamudiame Edo.
The Oba accused them of proclaiming themselves as subjects of the Ooni
He said they rendered inaccurate and disjointed account of the connection between the Benin Royal Dynasty and the Ooni-ship of Ife, in a video that is now widespread.
Their suspension by the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) was endorsed by the Oba through the Iyase (Prime Minister) of Benin Kingdom, Shief Sam Igbe.
But the Oodua Nationalist Coalition, (ONAC) in a statement made available to Irohinoodua praised the Chiefs urging the Ooni of Ife to declare them as ” Men of Good Consxience.”
ONAC in a statement signed by Olusola Abiodun, the Edo State Coordinator said the Chiefs should be honoured by the Ooni of Ife for standing with the truth and “significance of history.”
He said the Oba of Benin is making futile efforts to severe relationship with his Yoruba ancestry adding that the Oba should realise that “more than 200 families accompanied Oranmiyan to Benin.These families form the bedrock of Benin history, art, science and war and will never allow their history to be annulled.”
The Benin Traditional Council (BTC) has said it a statement that it has been drawn to video clips circulating on social media in which a group of traditional functionaries from Benin engaged themselves in a “sacrilegious show of shame and falsehood against the Benin Custom.”
“In the said clip, the individuals who have been identified as Johnbull Igbinosun, Iduhonre (Ihogbe), S.E. Aigbiremwen, Efesieoghoba (Ogbelaka) and two other Ogbelaka functionaries identified as Ogbeide Osagie and Osamudiame Edo were in the presence of the Ooni of Ife, falsely claiming to be emissaries of the Omo N’ObaN’ Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, His Royal Majesty Oba Ewuare II, Oba of Benin.
“These individuals not only declared themselves subjects of the Ooni, but also rendered inaccurate and disjointed account of the connection between the Benin Royal Dynasty and the Ooni-ship of Ife.
“While the BTC does not wish to be drawn to restating the well-known connection between the two thrones of the Oba of Benin and the Ooni of Ife, the general public is urged to disregard the inaccurate accounts rendered by the ill-bred individuals named above.
“For the avoidance of any doubt whatsoever, the BTC advise the general public to avail themselves of the official account of the connection between the two ancient monarchies as contained in the authoritative book titled “I Remain, Sir, Your Obedient Servant” authored by His Royal Majesty, Oba Erediauwa, Oba of Benin (1979 — 2016), published by Spectrum Books/Safari Books, 2004 at pages 205-212.
“The BTC considers the conduct of these functionaries as inappropriate, sacrilegious and calculated to ridicule traditional history, and to bring disrepute to Benin custom.
“Consequently, on the authority of the Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, His Royal Majesty Oba Ewuare Il, Oba of Benin the Prescribed Authority over Benin Custom, the BTC hereby announce the suspension of the individuals mentioned above from their role as Benin traditional functionaries.
“The general public is advised to refrain from having anything to do with them as traditional functionaries in Benin kingdom throughout their suspension.”
But ONAC asked the Oba of Benin to expect more rebellious actions from his Kingdom adding that the Oba cannot wipe away “a thousand years of history.”
