We Are Not Political Appointees, But Subjects Of The Oba - Okaeghele

By The9JaTREND

                     Glory Ikponwosa

    Chairman, Association of Okaeghele

                    in Benin Kingdom

The Association of Okaeghele in Benin Kingdom has said that Edo State Government do not have any business or rights to ban Okaegheles in Benin Kingdom.

According to them, "under the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) Law of Edo State, Okaegheles are not political appointees but subjects to His Majesty, Omo N' Oba N' Edo, Uku Akpolokpolor, Oba Ewuare II, Oba of Benin Kingdom.

This was contained in a press statement issued and signed by Glory Ikponwosa, Chairman, Association of Okaeghele in Benin Kingdom and its Secretary,  Bright Oviasogie made available to news during their peaceful protest to the Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State today, the 30th day of July. 2021.

While tendering their two pages  demand to Chairman of NUJ, Comrade Roland Osakue, the Association advised Edo State Government, to as a matter of urgency retrieve their statement against the Okaegheles of Benin Kingdom to avoid untoward legal issues in the State.

The statement reads, "Our attention has been drawn to the Edo State Government ban on the activities of Okaegheles in Edo State and we have decided to engage the government on a peaceful protest against the statement by the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.

"Okaegheles in the Benin Kingdom is an age long traditional position under the Benin Native Laws and Customs which is over 400 years old, it is not a recent creation. 

"That under the Benin Traditional Council settings, Communities have Leadership Structures which comprises the Odionwere, the Ohen, the Okaeghele in addition to the Enogie in Communities where Enogie exists. 

"Okaegheles of Benin KINGDOM are not to appointees under the leadership of the Edo Stare Government.

"Okaegheles of Benin Kingdom are only Loyal and subjects to the Oba of Benin Kingdom. The Okaegheles are traditionally appointed by the Odionweres/Enogies who are a all traditional subjects of the Oba of Benin Kingdom. 

"Edo State Government do not have any business or rights to ban Okaegheles in Benin Kingdom under the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) Law of Edo State. 

"We members of the Okaegheles of Benin Kingdom categorically state that any Okaeghele found wanting against the law of Edo State should be prosecuted according to the law of Edo State. 

"We are not politicians and we should not be treated as one because we are ready to resist any attempt to reduce our rights as traditional citizens of Benin Kingdom by anyone or groups of persons no matter who or what is involved. 

"We are Benins and we cannot be intimidated or oppressed under any guise of groups or Government.

"Edo State Government should as a matter of urgency retrieve their statement against the Okaegheles of Benin Kingdom to avoid untoward legal issues in the State," the statement opined.