FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
A Socio Cultural Group, the Benin National Voice, ,(BVN), has Petitioned the Edo State House Of Assembly Over the Unlawful Seizure of Benin Traditional Council Statutory Allocations By Governor Godwin Obaseki Led Administration.
The group in the petition signed by
Iyamu Osaro Culture- President ,Comrade Collins Osaghae Amadin-Secretary General , Lolo Emmanuel Usoh BOT Chairman addressed to the Rt. Honourable Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly,Honourable Members, Edo State House of Assembly, said, As the Voice and defendants of our rich culture, custom, tradition, and heritage, we write to formally bring to your attention the deliberate withholding of Benin Traditional Council Statutory Allocations by Governor Godwin Obaseki which is spanning over 5 Months.
The group which defiled the early morning down pour marched through the Oba Overamwen square to the State House of Assembly, singing various war songs.
In the petition which was personally received by the speaker Of the House, Rt Honourable Blessing Agbebaku, they alleged that ,” the deliberate withholding of Benin Traditional Council Statutory Allocations by Governor Godwin Obaseki is not unconnected with his inability to take custody of our returned stolen Artefacts, of which right of ownership was vested on the great Oba of Benin Kingdom by Federal Government in March 28th, 2023. “
According to them, “having been unable to take custody of our returned stolen Artefacts, Governor Godwin Obaseki felt that the only way to get back at our revered Throne is to withheld Benin Traditional Council Statutory Allocations.”
The group further stated that, “It is important to state that the 5 Months statutory allocations in contention is a constitutional obligation of Federal Government which is always a component of the Local Government Council statutory allocations for onward disbursement to Traditional Rulers across the Country and it is unconstitutional for any Government whether Federal, State or Local Government to withhold it. Infact, such unlawful act is a violation of the constitution, breach of code of conduct for public officers and outrightly unconstitutional.”
Therefore, judging from the aforementioned, we here by appeal to the leadership and members of Edo State House of Assembly to call Governor Godwin Obaseki to order while urging him to immediately release the 5 Months Benin Traditional Council Statutory Allocations that he deliberately withheld.
The Honourable speaker , Rt Honourable Blessing Agbebaku while addressing the crowd thank them for going about the protest peacefully.
He assured them of handling the petition , to ensure that their demands are met. “I will look into the petition with my members and carry the message to the appropriate quarters , to make sure your request is answered, we are here to represent the people, so we cannot afforestation to disappoint. He stated.