The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, has threatened to place curses on those using his name to hurl insults on President Muhammadu Buhari, and the former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, claiming to have his authority to do so, Page 36 learnt.
Angered by a recent video trending on the social media, anchored by one Eranomigho Edegbe, hurling insults on President Buhari and Oshiomhole, the very revered Monarch warned that if the accused and his cohorts refuse to repent from acts that tarnish the image of the respected traditional institute, the Oba may be forced to invoke ancestral curses on them.
A statement signed by the Secretary of the Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor, revealed that the Oba strongly condemns the malicious video, describing the those behind the video as disgruntled elements who are not happy with the cordial relationship between the Palace of the Oba and the Buhari Presidency.
The Benin Chief, stated that the Monarch and his subject’s unequivocal love for the President is unparalleled, as the relationship they share dates back to the immediate past Oba of Benin Kingdom, Oba Erediauwa.
According to him, President Buhari was always very nice, warm, respectful, and accommodating to the late Monarch, and has extended same to the current Oba,
Part of the statement reads: “We wish to state unequivocally, that our love for Mr. President is unparalleled, as the relationship shared dates back to the days of His Royal Majesty, Oba Erediauwa (of blessed memory), the immediate past Oba of Benin. This relationship was further strengthened when Mr. President headed the Petroleum Trust Fund, PTF.
“In our avowed stance of non-partisanship, we are in constant prayers that His Excellency’s desires are fully manifest in Edo State, for the benefit of the Benin Royal Family, Edo people, and the nation as a whole. Thus, our prayers and support for Mr. President is enormous.
“We wish to state that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has always been respected not just the traditional institutions in Edo State, but also the Palace of the Oba of Benin. His affection for our father, who adopted the Comrade as a son, is well known. This relationship was also reinforced during his tenure as Governor of Edo State.
“Captain Hosa Okunbo is an illustrious son of the Palace of the Oba of Benin, who at all times has worked in support of the Palace as a son of the Oba of Benin, thus, there can be nothing but goodwill and positive prayers for this distinguished son of Benin kingdom.
“These utterances and behaviour of Eranomigho and his cohorts, show that they are not happy and comfortable with the cordial relationship between the Palace of the Oba of Benin and the Presidency.
“Furthermore, it shows that some disgruntled elements like Eranomigho, have deep animosity against Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and Captain Hosa Okunbo.
“The video under reference, and all such made in similar vein, should be seen for what they really are, as they seek to propagate ‘fake news’, misinformation, disaffection, and misrepresentation for their own selfish and mischievous intentions.
“We use this medium to sound a note of caution to the general public to totally disregard and discountenance the statements made in the said video, and to further warn that this attempt and similar attempts to bring the Palace of the Oba of Benin and the revered institution of the Benin monarchy into disrepute, shall be met stiffly within the parameters of the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the traditional processes of the Benin Kingdom.
“Eranomigho and his cohorts are hereby reminded that there is an ancestral curse on anyone who attempts to tarnish the image of the Oba of Benin, and the ancient Throne of Benin kingdom.
“The Benin Traditional Council hereby demands an unreserved apology from Eranomigho, in order to avert the consequences.”
