The Ogbakha-Edo, speaking on behalf of the revered and culturally conscious people of Benin, hereby express in the strongest terms their deep-seated disapproval and profound indignation at the widely circulated reports of a proposed bill before the National Assembly. This bill, according to credible sources, seeks to constitutionally enshrine the Ooni of Ife and the Sultan of Sokoto as permanent co-chairmen of the Nigerian Council of Traditional Rulers.
This ill-conceived and historically unjustifiable proposal is not only logically flawed but also provocative, divisive, and culturally offensive. It represents a blatant attempt to institutionalize supremacy where none exists, and to exploit past protocols of convenience—wherein these rulers merely led delegations for the sake of political expediency—as a basis for permanent constitutional recognition.
The Benin people, anchored in centuries of cultural pride and historical sovereignty, vehemently reject any move that seeks to subordinate the imperial and highly revered throne of the Oba of Benin to any other traditional or religious authority under the guise of national unity or representational balance.
While the Oba of Benin is currently categorized among the highest-ranking traditional rulers in Nigeria, it is absolutely unacceptable—indeed, an affront to justice and history—to diminish his stature through such unwarranted and biased constitutional manipulation.
Historical Context: The Legacy of the Benin Empire
Let it be known that more than 600 years before British colonial incursion, the Benin Kingdom stood as a formidable empire—an organized, expansive, and diplomatically sophisticated polity. The Oba of Benin was not merely a king, but an emperor with vast dominions, extending across present-day Edo, Delta, parts of Ondo, Lagos, and into present-day Benin Republic. Northwards, the influence of the Oba reached beyond Esanland and Afemai territories to the foothills of the Kukuruku Mountains.
At that time, many of the kingdoms now elevated in public discourse were either non-existent or mere village clusters, without the sophistication or authority that the Benin monarchy wielded.
POLITICAL MOTIVATED ASSAULT
is very obvious that in arriving at the conclusion that only the Ooni of Ife and the Sultan of Sokoto should be permanent co-chairmen, ostensibly to represent the geopolitical north and south regions, historical, territorial, and cultural pedigree in determining leadership within the Council of Traditional Rulers, were not taken into account.
This bill, therefore, appears to be a politically motivated assault on the delicate balance and mutual respect that currently define inter-traditional relations in Nigeria. It threatens to upend centuries of coexistence, fuel regional discontent, and reignite historical grievances.
OUR POSITION AND DEMANDS ARE
In view of the foregoing, the Benin people categorically declare that:
1. We reject in totality, any attempt to undermine or diminish the authority of the Oba of Benin.
2. We find it highly inappropriate to perpetually subjugate the Oba of Benin by way of an illogical constitutional enactment.
OUR DEMANDS ARE
Immediate withdrawal of the proposed bill in its entirety.
OR Make the position non-permanent and rotational amongst the first class traditional rulers.
In conclusion, we urge the National Assembly to tread cautiously and not allow political maneuvering to destroy the dignity, balance, and integrity of Nigeria’s traditional institutions. The Benin people remain steadfast in defending their glorious heritage, and will continue to resist any act that seeks to erase or marginalize their history.
