By Ikhili Ebalu Benin City
A Socio Cultural Group, the Benin Solidarity Movement (BSM) worldwide has Condemned the purported allegedly a stoppage of Traditional Rulers monthly stipends in Edo State.
The group in a statement made available to journalists in Benin City and signed by the President, Elder Curtis Eghosa Ugbo, alleged that, the state governor, His Excellency, Goodwin Obaseki has ordered the local government Councils to put a halt to payment of salaries to the traditional rulers.
The statement further said, that ,q His Excellency Goodwin Obaseki has ordered the local government Councils to put a halt to payment of salaries to traditional rulers to enable the state carry out an audit of the council’s accounts.
Ugbo said, “stopping the payment of Traditional Rulers monthly stipends is an action which has vigorously affected the payment of the salaries of workers in the employment of the Traditional Rulers.
He stated that, ” Godwin Obaseki’s directive to the Local Government Councils, stopping them from paying the Traditional Rulers stipends is seen by the Benin Solidarity Movement (BSM) as a way of confronting the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare11 N’Ogidigan, a fallout of the ongoing issue of Benin Artefacts ownership and control.
According to him, “This is a Federal Government monetary allocations coming directly to the Various Traditional Council cum Institutions through their Local Government Councils and Godwin Obaseki do not have Legal or Constitutional rights to stop the payments with a flimsy excuse of auditing their accounts.
“Governor Obaseki should be told in clear terms that his actions are under watch and he should know that he would in the long run be accountable for his actions no matter how it goes..
” We advise that, he should squarely face the affairs of State Governance which he was voted to administer and keep off issues of royalty and traditional rulership.
“The soon to be returned stolen Benin Artefacts are of the Benin Heritage and only the Omo N’Oba N’Edo is the custodian of Benin Culture and Tradition or his representative can handle it on behalf of the Benin People.
“For the umpteenth time, we are advising Godwin Obaseki to stay clear of issues relating to the Benin Custom and Tradition so that he will not get his scalp burn in this incessant interferences. He concluded.
Reacting to the statement, some of the Traditional Rulers, who spoke under animosity, said though they have not received June stipends, as the state government claimed they are auditing their accounts.
End.