Benin Group Slams Gov Obaseki, Accuses Him Of Withholding Traditional Rulers Monthly Allocation

By Ayodele Oni

As the undercurrent altercation between Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo state and Benin Monarch, Omo N’oba  Ewuare over the  planned return of stolen artefacts is being laid to rest, a socio- cultural group, has raised an alarm over an alleged deliberate stoppage of monthly allocation to royal fathers in the state.

The Group, Benin Solidarity Movement (BSM) worldwide, claimed that the State Government has stopped monthly payment of entitlements to traditional rulers in the state, citing ongoing auditing of accounts of Local Government.

BSM in a statement on Tuesday, signed by its President, Elder Curtis Igbo, stated that: “The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, stopped the payment of Traditional Rulers’ monthly stipends, an action which has vigorously affected the payment of the salaries of workers in the employment of the Traditional Rulers.

“Godwin Obaseki’s directive to the Local Government Councils, stopping them from paying the Traditional Rulers stipends is seen by the Benin Solidarity Movement (BSM) as a way of confronting the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare11, a fallout of the ongoing issue of Benin Artefacts ownership and control.

“This is a Federal Government monetary allocations coming directly to the various Traditional Council cum Institutions from the federation account and Godwin Obaseki do not have Legal or Constitutional right to stop the payments with a flimsy excuse of auditing their accounts.

“Governor Obaseki should be told in clear terms that his actions are under watch and he should know that he would in the long run be accountable for his actions no matter how devilish he couch them.

“It is high time he is told that he should squarely face the affairs of State Governance which he was voted to administer and keep off issues of royalty and traditional rulership.

“The soon to be returned stolen Benin Artefacts are of the Benin Heritage and only the Omo N’Oba N’Edo is the custodian of Benin Culture and Tradition or his representative can handle it on behalf of the Benin People.

“For the umpteenth time, we are advising Godwin Obaseki to stay clear of issues relating to the Benin Custom and Tradition so that he will not get his scalp burn in this his incessant interferences.”