Planned installation of monarch causes storm between Ijaws and Binis
The Ijaws and their host the Binis are currently in war of words over the planed coronation and installation of an Ijaw traditional ruler within the Benin Kingdom. They had planned to install as Pere of Oladiama in Gelegele community in Ovia North East Local Government the paramount king of the area.
However, the Binis view it as an affront and abomination as there can’t be two kings in the Edo South Senatorial District as the only monarch is the Oba of Benin.
The Ijaws on their part are claiming the ownership of the area and that as such have a right to install their own king.
Security agents had aborted the installation of one Edwin Ogunyenbo as the Pere of Olodiama after the state government declared it unconstitutional and an attempt to create another monarchy in Benin Kingdom.
The problem started on November 14, when Ijaw people placed a congratulatory advertisement to one Godwin Oguyenbo, Alagbabenafa, Agadagba, Pere of Olodiama Kingdom in Gelegele community in Edo State.
Immediately the Traditional Council Benin (BTC) condemned the planned installation. The BTC through the Iyase of Benin, Chief Sam Igbe, told journalists that Ovia North East is under the authority of the Oba of Benin, who is the prescribed authority.
“We have only one monarch in the whole of Edo South Senatorial District-that is the Oba. The tittle, ‘Pere of Olodiama Kingdom’ does not exist. Gelegele is under the overlordship of the Oba of Benin and there can’t be two monarchs in Benin.”
Addressing journalists on behalf of other traditional rulers, Vice Chairman, Edo state Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, the Onojie of Okpoji, Aidenogie Ehidiamen I, said it is an abomination and sacrilegious for somebody from another kingdom in Bayesia or Delta State to crown a king in another man’s kingdom.
Besides, Edo State government, in a statement by the Secretary to State Government, Barrister Osarodion Ogie, has also condemned the development, describing the pronouncement as constituting an unprecedented affront to the long-settled culture, traditions and norms of the people.
The statement directed law enforcement agencies to effect the
immediate arrest and prosecution of all persons involved in the said coronation either as beneficiary, participant or sponsor, to the full extent of all extant laws.
Also, the Benin National Congress (BNC) in a statement by its Director of Mobilization, Osaretin Igbinogun, noted that Gelegele land belongs to the Oba of Benin.
On their part, the Ijaw said it was on record that late Oba Akenzua II sent his son, then Crown Prince Solomon Akenzua (late Oba Erediauwa) in 1958 to Ikoro to represent him in the installation of the Pere of Olodiama, Pere Asulu Ogunyeibo, the traditional head of the Ijaws of Olodiama.
A statement signed on behalf of the traditional rulers, the Amaakosuabu, Chiefs, and people of Egbema, Okomu, Furupagha and Gbaraun clans by Professor Christopher Dime, Deacon Robinson Agbede, James Okubokekemi, Chief A. Oweikuro, Chief J. Wodubamu, Elder Paul Atite and Elder Paul
Owu, the Ijaws said they were shocked with the statements issued by the Palace of the Oba of Benin and the state government on the matter.
“…Our position is that our communities with the Peres as King have been in existence since time out of mind. The Pere of Olodiama is gazetted in the MidWest State of Nigeria, Gazette No. 56 of 18th October, 1973, the statement added.
Also, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), in a statement by its President, Eric Omare described the statement credited to the Edo State Government and the Benin traditional Council over the ownership of the land as unacceptable, insisting that Gelegele land is an Ijaw enclave and that they had the right to install a traditional ruler of their choice.
Now, with the contending issues, it remained unclear how the matter will be concluded as all sides seems to have a point.