Concerned People Of Benin Nation Renew Demand For Apology From Obaseki
By Editor
Chants of "Oba O ooo Ugbiriri" echoed across the streets of Benin City on Tuesday, as members of the Concerned People of Benin Nation staged a fiery protest, renewing their demand of an apology from outgoing Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki to the Benin monarch, His Royal Majesty Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II.
The protesters marched through several key locations, including the Edo State House of Assembly, the Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, and the Osadebey Avenue Governor’s office, drawing massive attention with their bold demands.
Armed with banners and placards, the group was relentless in its call for justice. The messages inscribed on their placards were as clear as they were provocative: "The Last Holocaust - the erosion of Benin rights, heritage and dignity ends now," "Obaseki - reverse the revoked properties," and "Enough is enough - respect the traditions of our land."
Addressing the gathering at the State Assembly, one spokesperson for the group didn’t mince words. "The gods have rejected him, and so have the people. Enough is enough! The people will no longer stand for this blatant disrespect and disregard for our traditions, our monarchy, and our heritage. Obaseki's reign is coming to an end, and Edo people have spoken."
The protesters’ grievances against Governor Obaseki are deeply rooted in what they described as continuous disrespect to the Benin monarchy and the erosion of the people's rights. The group had outlined a series of demands, at a press conference last week, chief among them an unreserved public apology to Oba Ewuare II, published in at least three national newspapers, for what they term “sacrilegious disrespect” to the revered throne.
Other demands include halting the controversial construction of a museum for repatriated Benin artefacts without the approval of the monarch, and the withdrawal of lawsuits filed against the Oba by certain Enigie. They also called for the reallocation of properties maliciously revoked from prominent figures in Edo State, including Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Hon. Pius Odubu, and the return of communal lands allegedly acquired by the governor for non-public purposes.
