Eben Enasco Reporting.
The inhabitants of Abudu, the administrative headquarters, and five other neighboring Communities under the Evbuobanosa Dukedom in Orhionmwon Local Government Council, Edo State, are accusing Prof. Gregory Akenzua, the Enogie (Duke) of Evbuobanosa of being the leader of an Organized revolt against the Benin monarch, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, CFR.
A statement released and made available to the press by the Chief Press Secretary to the Oba of Benin, Iguobaro Osaigbovo stated that the protesters in their numbers declared their stance during a peaceful protest at the Palace of the Oba of Benin, where they expressed resentment and disowned the Duke, just as they laid claims to a piece of evidence that is difficult to dispel.
The suppressed agitations by the people, followed the recent dethronement of the Enogie (Duke) of Egbaen Siluko Dukedom in Ovia North East Local Government Area of the State, Edomwonyi Iduozee Ogiegbaen who reportedly led other Dukes to petition the Oba of Benin to Edo State government, requesting for the constitution of Traditional Council for Edo South Local government Areas in a bid to divide Benin Kingdom.
Osayande Samuel who spoke on behalf of elders of the Evbuobanosa Community, Priest Ohen-Okhi N’ Evbuohen, Osakpamwan Oviasuyi, Billy Ehiagiator, Abudu Community, Ilawagbon Gabriel, Igue-he, Ofure Simon, Iru Communities under Evbuobanosa Dukedom.
In his remarks on behalf of the protesters, Osayande Samuel, appealed to the Oba of Benin, saying that the hostilities between the Duke and elders in the area began after they resisted attempts by the Octogenarian to trade off the large expanse of their Communal land to multinational companies.
The development, however, made Priest Osakpamwan Oviasuyi, the (Ohen-Okhi N’ Evbuohen), declare the embattled Duke as unfit and not proper to lead Evbuobanosa Dukedom who jointly signed a petition against the Oba with the deposed Enogie of Egbaen Siluko.
The Priest who spoke in the Edo language, accused Prof. Akenzua of joining the former Ogiegbaen in a petition against Oba of Benin palace, noting that the action is a condemnable behavior.
Other speakers who corroborated the claims of the speakers, including Patrick Uwumarenogie Aisien from the Idu-dolor Community, distanced his Community from the alleged plot by the secessionist group to form a parallel Benin Traditional Council and other outrageous activities.
Addressing the protesters on behalf of the Oba, Chief Stanley Obamwonyi, the Ere of Benin who has demonstrated much fidelity in uniting the Benin Kingdom urged them to go about their peaceful businesses.
Chief Esere who was joined by another palace Chiefs, advised the protesters to be law-abiding and shun violence.
Recall that in April 2022, ba Ewuare II slashed Evbuobanosa and Abudu Communities which were formerly administered by Prof. Akenzua for effective administration.
The Oba also pronounced Abudu an Autonomous Community and appointed an Odionwere, village head, to administer the area before the faulty mindset began to manifest among rebellious Dukes.