Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has initiated a peace-building process between the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, and the suspended Dukes (Enigies).
The governor hinted this Wednesday after a meeting with some dukes in Edo South held at the residence of the Enogie of Evbo-Obanosa, Prof. Gregory Akenzua.
According to him, the meeting was to understand the issues at stake, with a view to brokering peace and reconcile the aggrieved parties.
Obaseki condemned the action of some politicians who he accused of attempting to hijack and distort the matter. He urged them to be careful, stressing that the Benin royalty was a unique inheritance, which Edo people must preserve.
He said: “Recall that there was an incident in the court, where there was almost a breakdown of law and order, because some people tried to stop a court hearing relating to a case between some Enigies and the palace.
“Government issued a statement that we will intervene and seek amicable reconciliation. I came back from a trip about two days ago, and decided to begin that process by meeting with the aggrieved Enigies who went to court. The intention is to see what the issues are and resolve them.
“Every Enogie in Edo South has a blood relationship with the palace; they are an extension of the Benin royal family. We are here to meet with a cross-section of them to understand what the issues are. We want to know what it takes to broker peace and reconcile them, with the hope that the case is withdrawn from court. They have assured me that they are anxious to promote peace and acknowledge the Oba of Benin as their royal father, but have concerns that bother them and would like them to be resolved. The process has started. We will also visit the Iyase after which we will visit our royal father, and see how these issues will be resolved.”
