Thedailytorchmedia:
The Enijies of Esanland have reacted to an alleged statement credited to the Oba of Benin, Ewuare 11 that the Esan traditional rulers did not support Senator Monday Okpebholo during the last election, saying such insinuation is false .
They said they are saddened because the alleged remark by the Oba have been widely circulated and unfortunately embraced by many people.
The Enijies said the Oba allegedly made the remark during the last Progressive Governors meeting in Benin, the Edo State Capital.
They said the Esan people at home and in the Diaspora are deeply offended by the Oba of Benin’s remarks.
According to them, the comment is a direct affront and an insult to the Enijies (traditional rulers).
They said many also see the Oba’s statement as validating earlier remarks allegedly made by Governor Monday Okpebholo’s media aide, Godswill Inegbe.
In a Press statement by the Enijies, they asked what evidence or criteria the Oba relied on to conclude that Esan kings failed to support Okpebholo.
The Enijies further said in the press statement, “How does one explain this claim when, in fact, the Oba lost his polling unit in the Palace to the PDP with a wide margin, while many wards where Esan Enijies reside delivered victories for Governor Okpebholo
“Furthermore, on the issue of post-election gratitude, it is on record that Esan traditional rulers, led by the Onojie of Uromi, visited the Oba of Benin before the primaries to appeal for support in favour of an Esan governor, in the spirit of equity and fairness. The Oba responded that he would consult with his chiefs and the Edo South leadership, but we neither received feedback nor saw any such consultation. Eventually, Okpebholo emerged through a keenly contested process.
“Let it be clear: Our visit to the Oba was not to lobby for Okpebholo’s candidacy, but to advocate for Esan’s rightful turn to produce the governor. Even in the main election, it would have been impractical to expect unanimous support for one Esan candidate, as another was also in the race. So again, we ask: Where did we err?
“We also visited our fellow traditional rulers in Edo North, including the Ojeneni of Uzarue, with the same appeal. These efforts were made in good faith and are documented.
“We must emphasize that this press statement is not an attack on the person of the Oba of Benin or the revered Benin throne. Our intention is solely to set the record straight and preserve unity within Edo State.
“We remain committed to peace, mutual respect, and collaboration between the Benin throne and the Esan traditional institution.
Meanwhile, many citizens of Edo State have been reacting to the alleged statement made by the Oba of Benin that the Esan traditional rulers did not work for Governor Okpebholo’s victory during the last election in different ways.
Pa Nosakhare Igbineweka, who spoke with The Daily Torch reporter on phone from his base in the United States, said that, the statement from the Oba is an inditement which could cause bad feelings between the governor and his Esan people
He said the Oba spoke his mind as an individual, not on behalf of the people of the Benin Kingdom.
He advise the Oba to always consult and listen to his advisers before making public statements on sensitive issues that is capable to cause disaffection among the citizens
According to Pa Igbineweka, the monarch should confine his role to traditional business as the father of Benin people and avoid the gangrene of politics
He said although, the Oba is the head of the Benin kingdom but insisted that, that does not give him the right to denigrate the Enijies of Esanland and their people.
Elder Igbineweka, an organic son of Benin and a knowledgeable historian of the kingdom, said he has the right to offer advice to the Oba when necessary.
He therefore appeal to the Oba to tender personal apology to the Enijies and people of Esanland both at home and in the Diaspora.
In Conclusion, Esan gbe- Edo and Edo – gbe – Esan.
