The Benin Traditional Council (BTC) has announced the suspension of six traditional functionaries for pledging allegiance to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, instead of their own monarch, Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin.
The suspended palace aides are Johnbull Igbinosun, Iduhonre (Ihogbe), S.E. Aigbiremwen, Efesieoghoba (Ogbelaka), Ogbeide Osagie, and Osamudiame Edo.
Their suspension was conveyed in a statement issued by Sam Igbe, the Iyase of Benin, on behalf of the BTC, in response to video clips circulating on social media showing the functionaries declaring themselves subjects of the Ooni of Ife.
The statement read: “The attention of the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) has been drawn to video clips circulating on social media in which a group of self-serving traditional functionaries from Benin engaged themselves in a sacrilegious show of shame and falsehood against the Benin Custom.
“In the said clip, the individuals who have been identified as Johnbull Igbinosun, Iduhonre (Ihogbe), S.E. Aigbiremwen, Efesieoghoba (Ogbelaka) and two other Ogbelaka functionaries identified as Ogbeide Osagie and Osamudiame Edo were in the presence of the Ooni of Ife, falsely claiming to be emissaries of the Omo N’ObaN’ Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, His Royal Majesty Oba Ewuare II, Oba of Benin.
“These individuals not only declared themselves subjects of the Ooni, but also rendered inaccurate and disjointed account of the connection between the Benin Royal Dynasty and the Ooni-ship of Ife.
“While the BTC does not wish to be drawn to restating the well-known connection between the two thrones of the Oba of Benin and the Ooni of Ife, the general public is urged to disregard the inaccurate accounts rendered by the ill-bred individuals named above.
“For the avoidance of any doubt whatsoever, the BTC advise the general public to avail themselves of the official account of the connection between the two ancient monarchies as contained in the authoritative book titled ‘I Remain, Sir, Your Obedient Servant’ authored by His Royal Majesty, Oba Erediauwa, Oba of Benin (1979 — 2016), published by Spectrum Books/Safari Books, 2004 at pages 205-212.
“The BTC considers the conduct of these functionaries as inappropriate, sacrilegious and calculated to ridicule traditional history and to bring disrepute to Benin custom.
“Consequently, on the authority of the Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, His Royal Majesty Oba Ewuare Il, Oba of Benin the Prescribed Authority over Benin Custom, the BTC hereby announce the suspension of the individuals mentioned above from their role as Benin traditional functionaries.”
During their suspension, the public has been advised to refrain from engaging with them in any capacity related to their traditional functions.
The suspension comes amidst a history of rivalry between the Benin and Ife kingdoms, with occasional disputes over supremacy.
However, the Ooni of Ife had previously emphasized the unity of the expansive Yoruba race, which includes the Benin Kingdom.
