Lucky Obukohwo Reporting
The Benin Traditional Council (BTC) has faulted the attempt in some quarters to equate Enigies (Dukes) with traditional rulers.
Truth Live News reports that going by the new regime recently announced by the state government, all traditional rulers in the 18 local government areas of the state will henceforth receive their monthly allowances to administer their domains.
Truth Live News also reports that in appreciation of the new development, the Enogie (Duke) of Evbuobanosa, Prof. Gregory Akenzua who led a delegation of some Enigie on a thank you visit to Governor Obaseki were addressed in some circles as traditional rulers.
A joint statement dated August 29 by Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George.(SAN) and Prof. Edoba Omoregie, solicitor to BTC in Benin however kicked against the attempt, insisting that the Enigies (Dukes) do not have the status of traditional rulers.
Akinseye-George and Omoregie said that BTC decided to set the record straight because it’s the only competent traditional council in all the seven local government areas of Edo South Senatorial district, noting that Oba Ewuare II is the sole traditional ruler in the seven local government areas of Edo South Senatorial district which include Oredo, Egor, Ikpoba Okha, Ovia South West, Ovia North East, Orhionmwon and Uhunmwonde.
The two lawyers insisted that all other other traditional title holders in the entire seven local government areas of Edo South Senatorial district aforementioned are no more than chiefs appointed by the Oba of Benin.
According to them, all the Enigies (dukes) in the entire seven local government areas of Edo South are classified as chiefs and not traditional rulers, representing the Benin monarch in the various communities or domain to which they were sent.
The statement continued: “That all the Enigie are required to relate with the Oba of Benin through the Palace Chiefs of the Oba being the traditional channel of communication, unless waived by the Oba.
“That this age long traditional hierarchy is undisputed and fully captured under Benin Customary Law which is also affirmed and declared in the Traditional Rulers and Chief Edict 1979 (as applicable in Edo State).”
“Akinseye-George and Omoregie added: “In light of the foregoing, we firmly advise the general public to take notice of this traditional structure of the BTC and disregard the misinformation being spread about the status of traditional title holders holders in Benin Kingdom.”