Oba of Benin remains head of traditional rulers — Edo govt

The Edo State Government has reiterated that the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, continues to be the undisputed leader of all the traditional rulers and chiefs in Edo State.

In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Osa Nehikhare, the state government highlighted that financial support for the monarch has seen an increase since Governor Godwin Obaseki assumed office and has not diminished in any way, contrary to the false claims being circulated by troublemakers.

He further clarified that the funding has seen an increase since the start of Governor Obaseki’s administration due to the inclusion of the Value Added Tax (VAT) and the excess crude components.

According to the statement, “The Oba of Benin’s position as the permanent head of all the traditional rulers in Edo State remains inviolable in the State Government’s implementation of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Edict of 1979, particularly in relation to Section 45 of the edict.

“Recently, following some disagreement among some traditional rulers in the State, the traditional rulers agreed with the State Government to temporarily store the fund in a central pool until the administrative issues were resolved. This was between April 2023 and July 2023.

“It is crucial to clarify here that contrary to the false information that the fund was withheld from July 2022 to July 2023, all statutory payment was made until April 2023, when it was agreed for the funds to be stored till date for the resolution of outstanding issues.

“These administrative issues have now been resolved by the Edo State Government and the palace delegation led by the Iyase of Benin, Chief Sam Igbe, and this pool of funds is now being distributed to the various traditional rulers across the State as well as the Benin Traditional Council.

“The total amount now being distributed to all the traditional rulers in the State is N1,316,746,764.13. Of this amount, N639,269,245.26, goes to the traditional rulers in Edo South Senatorial District.

“While the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) receives N319,634,622.63, the remaining N255,707,698.0 is distributed to the traditional councils in the seven local governments in the senatorial district, while N63,926,924.52 left is set aside for any emergency in the councils. “In the same vein, Edo North traditional rulers receive N377,642,592.6 while Edo Central traditional rulers receive N299,834,926.27. “It is therefore surprising to hear troublemakers attempting to instigate a non-existent crisis between the Edo State Government and the palace of the respected monarch, with many of them making completely false statements and spreading misinformation on social media.

“We urge Edo people to be cautious of misinformation and understand that everything is being done in accordance with the law and the accounts of the traditional rulers are being credited.

“In all of these, we want to reiterate through this medium that His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, the Oba of Benin, remains the permanent chairman of the Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs as well as the permanent chairman of Benin Traditional Council (BTC).

“Funding to the esteemed palace has been bolstered and is not in any way depleted, as these spreaders of falsehood have attempted to portray in the public domain. “With this full implementation of the law, the government expects members of local government traditional councils to engage with their subjects and promote security, intelligence gathering, and community development within their domains.

“The government will continue to strive towards harmonious living in the state, ensuring that all stakeholders are included in its development efforts”.