Okpebholo restores statutory rights to Oba of Benin

Senator Monday Okpebholo, the governor of Edo State, abolished the new traditional councils established in Edo South by the previous administration and reinstated the full statutory rights of Oba Ewuare II, the monarch of Benin.

Additionally, he supported the Federal Government's Gazette, which granted the Oba's palace, seized by British colonial soldiers during the Benin massacre in 1897, ownership of the restored relic.

Additionally, the state government is rescinding the letter that the previous administration had granted to use the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre as a vehicle park.

Fred Itua, the governor's chief press secretary, made these public in a statement on Sunday.

The declaration also said, "This administration is bringing the Oba Akenzua centre back to a suitable condition for its original purpose.

“This administration also hereby abolishes the new traditional councils in Edo South, created by the last administration.

“Accordingly, Okpebholo has restored the statutory financial entitlements of the Benin Traditional Council and has ordered that the status quo before the creation of the now abolished councils be maintained.

“The Okpebholo administration is backing the initial plan of the state Government to build the Benin Royal Museum that will house the returned artefacts and is distancing itself from the Museum of West Africa Art (MOWA) which the previous administration fronted as the museum to hold the returned Benin artefacts before the federal government intervention on the matter.

“The Federal Government has also issued a Gazette for the recognition of ownership and custody of the repatriated Benin artefacts to Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II. This was done through a Government Notice No.25 in the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No.57, Volume 110.”

The statement added that Okpebholo respects the rights and privileges of the traditional ruler of the Benin Kingdom, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare ll, and pledges the support of his administration to ensure the Monarch plays his role as the custodian of the rich cultural heritage of the Benin people.
The Federal Government's decision to maintain the Oba of Benin as the only proprietor of the returning Benin artefacts that were looted by the British Colonial forces during the Benin massacre in 1897 would be supported by the governor's administration in appreciation of this.

"My administration respects the customs and traditions of the land and hereby restores the statutory rights of the Oba of Benin as the true custodian of the returned Benin artefacts. The Oba of Benin is the father of all Benin people and is the sole custodian of the customs and traditions of the Benin people."

Okpebholo declared his administration's commitment to abstaining from meddling in the Benin Traditional Council's internal matters.

The statement said, "The governor is restoring all other Statutory Rights of the Monarch not mentioned hereof by using his constitutional powers and respect for traditional institutions and the revered Oba of Benin."