Benin Palace Chiefs Neck-Deep In Crisis Over Jonathan-Buhari's Choice

 The Benin Traditional council, which is one of the foremost traditional Institutes in Nigeria, known for the preservation of traditions and culture, is fast becoming a political assemblage. One cannot ignore its recent involvements in the politics of the state, nor undermine her interest in the federal government politics, as the Palace Chiefs in Benin  are reportedly neck deep in a crisis over support for President Goodluck Jonathan toward his re-election bid, a development that has polarised some of the chiefs along party line. Patrick Ochoga who reports for Leadership, writes on the raging controversy

Palace Chiefs in the revered Benin Kingdom which is traditional stool of the Omo N’ Oba Uku Akpolokpolo are at dagger draw ahead of the rescheduled March 28th, 2015 Presidential election over a statement credited to the Esogban of Benin Kingdom and the Chairman of Benin Forum, the umbrella mouthpiece of the Oba of Benin.

The row among the palace chiefs became crystal clear when the chief at a recent briefing said the Benin in Nigeria and Diaspora will not vote President Goodluck Jonathan in the election citing alleged neglect.

He specifically said one of the sins committed by Jonathan against the Benin people was to take the only position given to them by late President Musa Yar’Adua, which was Minister of State for Works, which was given to Engr Chris Ogiemwonyi, saying “he took the position and gave to his (Ogiemwonyi) ex-wife, Stella Oduah who hails from Anambra State and even made her a full Minister”.

The Benin in Edo South senatorial district account for over 60% voting population of the entire state controlling seven local government areas, while Edo Central, has five local governments and Edo North has six councils, respectively.

It is often believed that a support from the palace politically translates to victory for candidates and this may have given credence to why politicians fall over each other for “royal endorsement”.

However, Chief Edebiri’s comment that Jonathan should forget the votes of the Benin has thrown a spanner of discord among the chiefs who are divided and battle ready to undo one another.

Besides, he declared that the shocking postponement of the general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission, is like postponing the devil day for the president.

The Esogban’s declaration is a major setback to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Jonathan because the Benin Forum which he heads is the mouthpiece of the revered Benin monarch, Oba Erediauwa.

According to Esogban, “what was for the Benin was taken to Anambra by the present administration. Is that why the Benin people will vote for the PDP? Besides robbing the Benin people of the Ministerial appointment, the home of the former Minister (Engr.Ogiemwonyi) was completely broken by the action of the presidency.

“Is that what they have done for the Benin people that will make us to vote PDP, impossible. If they want to postpone elections 20 times the people are here waiting for them. The consequences of what Jonathan has done will be very grievous for him and his party. You met a man who was appointed half Minister by previous administration, his people in Benin voted massively for you during the elections, you now want to compose a new executive, you dropped him and took his wife who comes from across the Niger.

Unsettled by the declaration of Chief Esogban, a senior palace chief and 3rd in hierarchy, Chief Amos Osunbor, the Eson of Benin Kingdom and Chief Patrick Eholor, a titled holder in Utoka Community, punctured his assertion that the Esogban’s position is that of the Benin.

In a signed press statement made available to Leadership, the palace Chief accused Esogban of dragging the palace into murky waters of politics and warned that it portend danger for the Benin.

According to him “I am speaking from my dignified palace position to call on Chief Edebiri to desist from dragging the honour of the palace and that of the Benin people to the murky political waters. I wish to profoundly state categorically that Omo N’ Oba Uku Akpolokpolo, through our revered Crown Prince Eheneden had already expressed his desire to have President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan serve a second term to enable him complete the transformation programmes that he already started. Every Nigerian witnessed the epoch royal visit. I am therefore wondering   about the intensions of Chief Edebiri, because his latest comments ordinarily amount to an affront on His Royal Majesty. No one except the monarch has a right to speak for the Benin. He posited.

Chief Eholor on his part submitted “We cannot play politics with the palace. He cannot speak for the average Benin. Let it be clear, I am

Chief Patrick Osagienwagbon Eholor, the Enowarie of Utoka. My father is one of the Izobaniyons, I am from Igbesanmwan. I know my history; my father’s dynasty has been on for over 1000 years. We are the only chiefs who will not kneel down in the palace, who will not shave, in case anything happens to our father but he is an Esogban, a custodian of the chiefs- we have four high chiefs, including ikhaghanoghe- Ison, Edebiri, Osuma, Iyase, and look at them, all well behaved”.

He further expressed disappointment that a palace chief should be playing politics, accusing him of dancing to the political rhythms of Governor Adams Oshiomhole “He is the same man when teachers were fired joined Adams to fire them. What kind of chief are we talking about?”

“Chief Edebiri has no moral justification and right to speak for the Benin. We don’t play politics in the palace. We are kingmakers. We support whoever we want to vote for, but that is a private business.

He has no right to say that they are going to punish Goodluck Jonathan with our votes because he denied Ogiemwonyi ministerial position. Let Ogiemwonyi come out himself and cry. It’s like saying if Adams Oshiomhole loses elections; no one should greet him again.

As the controversy rages, a social cultural based group in Benin, Edo Youth Organization, (EYO), an umbrella body of youths in the state rose in defence of Esogban and warned that those criticizing the Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief David Edebiri, over his declaration that the Benin will not vote for President Goodluck face the risk of being banished from Benin Kingdom.

In a statement signed by the President of the EYO, Derick Uhunmwagho, it described the criticisms as unconstructive, challenging the critics to dispute whether the issues raised by Chief Edebiri were true or false.

According to the statement, “Chief Edebiri is one of our respected Royal Fathers in Benin Kingdom and that is why we pity those criticising his comments because they don’t know the consequences of being banished. How can they say Jonathan will get votes in Edoland when even recently, the wife of one of our brothers, Prof. Omorogbe who was Permanent Secretary/Legal Adviser to NNPC was sacked?

“After we voted for him in 2011, nothing has been done for us. The President has failed to create jobs for our youths. Rather, the once who went for Immigration Interview were killed. There is so much corruption in this administration and he has not been able to tell Nigerians what he is doing to ameliorate the economic hardship being faced by Nigerians.