“This is to inform the general public that His Royal Highness, Edomwonyi Iduozee Ogiegbaen, Enogie of Egbaen Siluko has been removed as Chief Coordinator to the Palace on Enigie matters in Benin Kingdom. His removal takes immediate effect,” the statement read.
By Jeffrey Agbo
Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has sacked the Chief Coordinator of all the Enigie (dukes) in the kingdom, Edomwonyi Iduozee Ogiegbaen, the Enogie of Siluko.
The monarch’s Chief Press Secretary, Iguobaro Osaigbovo, made this known in a statement, although the reason for the decision was not stated.
“This is to inform the general public that His Royal Highness, Edomwonyi Iduozee Ogiegbaen, Enogie of Egbaen Siluko has been removed as Chief Coordinator to the Palace on Enigie matters in Benin Kingdom. His removal takes immediate effect,” the statement read.
It is believed that Ogiegbaen was removed from the position following a request to the state governor dated November 11, 2022, urging him to constitute traditional councils for Edo South Senatorial District, a request many saw as a plot to balkanise the Benin Kingdom.
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The letter signed by Ogiegnaen and another stated, “We the Enigie of the Local Government Areas of Edo South, who enjoy recognition as Traditional Rulers in the Schedule to the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law of Bendel State (1979), as applicable in Edo State, bring to your Excellency our warm felicitations and best wishes.
“We use this occasion to request that Your Excellency kindly exercises the prerogative conferred on your exalted office by Part 7, Section 45 of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law, at this critical stage in the development of our dear State, to establish Traditional Councils for the Local Government Areas of Oredo, Egor, Ikpoba Okha, Orhionmwon, Uhunmwonde, Ovia North East, Ovia South West of Edo State.”
In making the request, the letter’s authors said, “we are mindful of our duties to formulate general proposals, advice and guidance to our respective Local Government Councils, and assist in the maintenance of law and order therein.”