From our Bureau Chief, Benin
Amidst recent worrisome development, a social, cultural group of the Benin Kingdom with the name: ‘Aiguobasimwin movement worldwide’ has called on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, to exercise restraint in its political activities.
The Group made the call in a statement signed by the President, Iyamu Osaro Culture, secretary – general, Osayuki-Osa Benson and the Diaspora coordinator, Monday Ohuimumwen JP respectively and circulated amongst journalists in Benin, weekend.
The Group accuses the Edo APC Government of using its resources to cause division among the Benin people.
Asserting its role in the coming into office of the APC Government, it laments that in spite of repeated appeal for attention on several issues of concern as it affects the Kingdom, recent events have obviously pointed to the negative response of the Government.
The Statement
It is no longer news that APC in Edo State rose to power through our struggle against Obaseki’s failed attempt to seize our returned stolen artefacts and other matters concerning the great Benin people.
During the 2024 governorship election, we advocated that Governor Monday Okpebholo should reverse the sacrilegious acts and other offenses Obaseki committed against our Palace and the Benin people. That advocacy paid off, and we sacrificed for it.
It is therefore regrettable that despite our repeated appeals to the APC-led government in Edo State on key issues — the reinstatement of the Benin Royal Museum, rehabilitation of Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre, and our opposition to any attempt by some APC members to collaborate with external forces to cede parts of our land for the proposed Anioma State, Toru-Ebe State, and others — the government has instead devoted its resources to causing division among Benin people.
This was evident in the caricature Edo South Senatorial primary they conducted, which produced Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Hon. Ogbeide Ihama as individual candidates for the same position.
Instead of waiting for the APC National Working Comittee to resolve the matter, they hurried to the Palace to present Hon. Ogbeide Ihama to the Oba of Benin, contrary to normal practice, in an attempt to give their flawed primary the backing of our revered Palace.
As expected, the Oba of Benin, in his wisdom, asked for the certificate of return allegedly issued to Hon. Ogbeide Ihama by the APC NWC.
None was presented. Instead, they displayed kangaroo results from those bent on imposing him on Edo South Senatorial District.
When probed further by the Oba of Benin, Hon. Ogbeide Ihama stated that the final results will be confirmed next week by the highest decision-making body of the party.
If the matter is still unresolved and pending before the APC NWC, why the rush to the Palace of the great Oba of Benin?
We thank God Almighty and our Ancestors for the wisdom He gave to the Oba of Benin to handle this delicate matter.
Let it be noted that no endorsement was carried out inside our highly revered Benin Royal Palace.
The Oba of Benin sued for peace among all parties, the Group emphasised.
