Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Some of the Enigie who were suspended by the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II for alleged rebellion, have begged him for forgiveness in whatever ways they may have offended him.
The dukes also denied swearing to an oath not to pay allegiance to the throne.
The embattled dukes made the denial during a press conference in Benin.
Speaking for the dukes, Ogiugo Victor Etinosa, the Enogie of Ugo N’Iyekikpoba, said that they were very sorry for whatever error they must have committed adding that, they are the Oba’s subjects and he should treat them as his children.
“We, the undersigned Enigie wholeheartedly write to your Majesty to deny with great trepidation that we are innocent of all the allegation of misconduct against us.
“Your Majesty Sir, it is often said that, it will be suicidal for one to wrestle with his personal God, which you represent in our individual lives.
“We are therefore appealing most passionately for your Majesty to have compassion and forgiveness for any or all our short comings.
“Umogun ghato okpere, as our father, it is often said that, “the hand you use to beat a child is the same hand you use to draw him close to yourself”.
“We wish to state here categorically that at no time did any of the Enigie subscribe to any oath not to pay allegiance to Omo N’eba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II CFR, Oba of Benin.
“We at no time swore to any oath not to visit the palace of the Oba of Benin or answer to any summon or invitation -by your Royal Majesty.
“We neither sworn to any other oath that we will not participate in any activities of his Royal Majesty and the Palace of the Oba of Benin nor sworn to any oath not to pay traditional homage to the Oba of Benin.
“Your Majesty Sir, we humbly appeal to your Majesty to temper justice with mercy and forgive us all”, Etinosa pleaded.
He promised that henceforth, they are willing to follow all the details of the Oba to the letter.
“We are prepared and willing to appear before your majesty Omo N’Oba N’edo on your invitation and we are willing and prepared to continue to perform our task and obligations to your Majesty and the Palace”, Etinosa said.