The Crown Prince of the Benin Kingdom has publicly addressed the growing controversy surrounding the welfare of his mother and the reported rift within the royal household, calling for reconciliation, unity, and an end to what he described as the mistreatment of the Queen Mother.
In a lengthy statement shared on his verified Instagram page on Monday, the Crown Prince disclosed that his mother was asked to leave the palace following an incident involving his youngest brother, who allegedly attempted to gain access to the palace to see their father.
“My mother did nothing wrong. Six months ago my youngest brother allegedly badged into the palace wanting to see his father. Our father wasn’t happy with his approach; as a result my mother was told to leave the palace,” he stated.
Responding to public concerns about her wellbeing, the Prince assured supporters that his mother is safe, adding that he chose to speak out to counter what he described as false narratives surrounding her absence from the palace.
“I have received an alarming amount of messages about the welfare of my mother… I wouldn’t allow false narratives about why my mother isn’t in the palace,” he said.
The Crown Prince also made an emotional appeal to his father, whom he addressed as Domo, pleading for forgiveness on behalf of his senior children and urging the family to embrace reconciliation.
“Please, whatever our Father said they all did wrong, please forgive and forget. Time is precious. We want togetherness, not division,” he appealed.
Addressing claims that he was “co-opted” into the Legacy Restoration Trust without proper consent, the Prince rejected the allegation, insisting that he would never have accepted such a role without royal approval.
“There is no way on this earth I would ever be a part of something of this magnitude without getting greenlight from you, on God and our ancestors,” he said.
He further revealed that the major fallout between him and his father stemmed from a phone conversation he overheard while abroad, during which unflattering remarks were allegedly made about him publicly.
“While I was in Germany, I overheard my father say unpleasant things about me to a public figure on the phone. I got upset and raised my voice — something I’ve never done in my entire life,” he explained.
The Prince said he later apologized repeatedly over four years, writing “countless remorseful letters,” but claimed his pleas for forgiveness were ignored.
Expressing deep concern for his mother’s health and emotional wellbeing, the Crown Prince made a passionate plea for her reinstatement in the palace.
“Please don’t mistreat our mother. She’s not as young as she used to be. She has done nothing wrong… Please let our mother back into her home,” he said.
He concluded by calling on national and traditional leaders to prioritize unity as the country approaches 2026.
“I pray for unity, togetherness, progress, development and peace. Positive projection of Edo should be priority,” the statement read.
