- Says activities of youth leaders not banned in Edo South
The palace of the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, yesterday clashed again with Governor Godwin Obaseki as it declared that activities of Okaigheles (youth leaders) have not been banned in Benin Kingdom’s seven local government areas of Edo South Senatorial District.
Oba of Benin’s palace noted that the Okaigheles represented a segment of the age-long Benin traditional administrative structure.
The Obazelu of Benin, Chief Osaro Idah, spoke while addressing the protesting Edo South Okaigheles who sought the palace’s intervention.
Obaseki, on June 3, disclosed that over 150 residents of Edo State had been lost to cult-related activities and homicide in less than six months (from January 2024), as he declared war on cultism in the state.
The governor also banned the activities of Okaigheles in Edo South senatorial district’s seven LGAs of Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha, Egor, Ovia Northeast, Ovia Southwest, Orhionmwon, and Uhunmwonde.
Obaseki, while speaking with Government House reporters in Benin, after a closed-door meeting with security chiefs in the state, disclosed that his ban on Okaigheles was part of the renewed efforts to tackle cultism.
Idah, however, assured that the palace of Oba of Benin would dialogue with Edo State government on the contentious issue, according to a statement yesterday evening by the first-class monarch's Chief Press Secretary, Osaigbovo Iguobaro.
It charged the okaigheles to maintain peace and order in their domains.
The Obazelu of Benin, who was accompanied by the Oyeoba of Benin, Chief Oghafua Oyeoba, and the Ogua of Benin, Chief Uyi Okungbowa, stated that the palace of Oba of Benin would not shield any individual caught in nefarious activities.
Idah said: “Okaighele is not a new thing in Benin Kingdom. It did not start in this century. As you have age grades and senior sons, so we have them. When Odionwere (village head) is appointed by the Oba of Benin, Okaighele assists the Odionwere in the daily administration of the domain.
“It is not something that can be banned by fiat, because Okaighele belongs to the Benin ancestors. We shall inform the appropriate authorities about your concerns.
“You have not been banned, but the palace will not support any form of violence or attack on anyone or group of persons in the communities. If anyone is caught, the palace will support the government to prosecute such person.”
Spokesman of aggrieved youths and Odionweres (village heads) in Edo South senatorial district, Comrade Rowland Ogbomo, had earlier stated that Okaighele was a creation of the palace of Oba of Benin.
He said they were surprised over the ban announcement by Edo governor, and pleaded with the foremost traditional ruler to urgently intervene.
Ogbomo stated that the Okaigheles were not cultists, but responsible for the maintenance of law and order in their communities, in line with Benin’s native laws and customs
