From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin

Traditional rulers in Edo North and Edo Central Senatorial districts have risen in unison to warn they would not allow Ijaw carve out kingdoms out of an inch of Edoland.

The traditional rulers said they back Edo State Government and Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, in stopping the installation of one Godwin Ogunyenbo as the Pere of Olodiama Kingdom, in Ovia North East Local government Area of the state.

Speaking at a press briefing, yesterday, the traditional rulers said the only recognised king in Edo, is the Oba of Benin and described as abominable, attempts by some traditional rulers from Bayelsa and Delta states to install another king in Edo.

First Vice Chairman of Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs and Onojie of Opoji, Ehidiamen Aidonojie 1, urged security agencies to arrest and prosecute all traditional rulers involved in the attempted coronation.

“It is misnomer for anybody to say Gelegele is part of Edo, Bayelsa and Delta states. A king from Bayelsa state came to the Oba last time to pay homage that his roots are here and now, you see one Pere jumping over Warri, to come here and install a king.

“Our Oba has always welcomed people. Late Okotie-Eboh was the Adolor of Benin Kingdom. What the Pere from Delta and Bayelsa states did is unacceptable. The Portuguese entered Benin, through Gelegele, and it was the only port in Benin at that time.

“If the Ijaw had wanted a chief, they would have pleaded with the Oba and he would have created a chieftaincy title for them. There can never be any other Kingdom in Edo.”

The Olokpe of Okpe, Oba Idogun said they would not allow anyone or tribe trespass on any part of Edoland.

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“Edoland is property for the Edo people. We disagree with what the Peres of Bayelsa and Delta states did. We condemned their action.”

Onojie of Ewu Kingdom, Abdulrasaq Ojeifo, said it would be suicidal for any person to say he is king in Benin kingdom.

Also, Zaki Aidenojie Ehidiamhen I, Enogie of Opoji, expressed his resentment when he led other traditional rulers in Edo North and Central, to the palace of the Benin monarch, in solidarity of the people of the Benin kingdom yesterday.

The Zaki led traditional rulers from the two senatorial districts, to fault Pere’s installation by Ijaw living in Ovia North East Local Government Area of the state.

They called it an act of sacrilege.

The Enojie of Opoji and vice chairman, Edo State Traditional Rulers, said they are against the installation, and insisted that as there can never be two kings in Edo.

“We the traditional rulers from Edo North and the Edo Central, we have gathered here to add our voice to that of the state government, the Benin Traditional Council and those of them from Edo South who are opposing the wrong move of the Ijaws,” he said.

“In 1955, an Itsekiri man, the late Okotiebor, who was the minister of Finance, in the First Republic was made the Adolor of Benin kingdom. He was an Itsekiri man. He may answer Pere or Olu of Benin. So, I think the Oba has the power to give any title to whom he deemsfit.I must commend the Oba and the Bini for the maturity they have used in calming down situation and if not, there would have been arson and serious problems would have come out.

“I also appreciate the governor of the state for his timely intervention but I think he should not stop there because the Pere and the elders in council should be located by the law enforcement agents and the man that wanted to receive crown should be invited and prosecuted,” the Enojie said.