By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
An Edo Socio-cultural organisation, the Edo National Voice (ENV) has warned Enigie in Benin Kingdom against actions that could be regarded as rebellious against the Benin Royal Throne by the people of the kingdom adding that they ought to know the consequences of such deeds.
The Edo National Voice stated this at a press conference it addressed Wednesday, 11 January in reaction to the letter addressed to the Edo State Government by some Enigie requesting the constitution of Traditional Council for the 7 Local Government Areas in Edo South.
The group in a statement at the press conference signed by its president, Iyamu Osaro Culture; secretary, Comrade Osaghae Collins Amadin and nine others noted that the Enigie who wrote the letter under reference to Edo State Government ought to know that no letter regarding the traditional institution in Benin Kingdom must fly without informing the Benin Royal Throne and urged the affected Enigie to immediately denounce their action to avoid the wrath of their community members.
The group also accused those they termed enemies of the Benin Royal Throne who want to take custody of the stolen artifacts as the brain behind the sacriligious act of the Enigie, adding that one Arisco Osemwingie was to carry out same sacriligious act but for their prompt action which nipped the plan in the bud.
According to the press statement, “Circumstances surrounding the letter that was written by some Enigie where they requested the state Government to inaugurate Traditional Council across the 7 local government areas in Edo South though many among the Enigie have dissociated themselves from the said sacriligious action which is completely different from the picture that was painted to them by some defiant Enigie whose interests were purely selfish but were astonished because they trusted the fact that the aim was to write to the governor to increase their pay and help to make sure they get pay as at when due”.
While emphasising its concern on the issue, the EVN noted that, “We the leadership and stakeholders of Edo National Voice are very concerned about this matter owing to the fact that no letter regarding our traditional institution should fly without informing our revered king, hence the reason why we assemble here today to address this sacriligious action and immediately trash it to the dustbin.
“There is an adage that says that there is no smoke without fire and we are not unaware that this another recent sacriligious move by some of the Enigie is as a result of the inability of enemies of our revered Throne and Benin Kingdom to take custody of our stolen artefacts as against the original plan to house them in Benin Royal Museum. Hence the reason why they are working day and night to cause problem within the rank of our well-structured Devine Throne through the manipulation of some Enigie and palace chiefs.
“Arising from the above, we wish to use this medium to call on all the affected Enigie who signed the sacriligious letter to immediately denounce their action to avoid the wrath of the people especially those from their community because Aiguobatile, Aiguobasinmwin and Aimuaobamwen”, the group cautioned.
Edo National Voice (ENV) group comprises of all Edo citizens, whether you are Edo, Esan, Afemai and all tribes that lives in Edo and believe in our tradition and they stands for the truth and nothing more.