Group Accuses Gov Obaseki Of Withholding Monthly Allocation To Benin Palace Council

By Ayodele Oni

The disagreement between Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki and the Oba of Benin over the custody of some artefacts returned by some foreign countries has led to the withholding of monthly statutory allocation to the Monarch.

A Benin Group claimed on Thursday that on Governor Obaseki’s order,  the  statutory allocation to Benin Traditional Council has not been released since about four months.

The Group, Edo National Voice, noted: “It could be recalled that three weeks ago, we deemed it necessary to call on Governor Godwin Obaseki to release the Benin Traditional Council(BTC) three months statutory allocations he intentionally withheld which reason is not unconnected with his inability to take custody of our returned stolen artefacts having been gazetted by the Federal Government(FG).”

The statement, signed  by Iyamu Osaro, President, and  Osaghae Collins, Secretary General, added that “Most worrisome is that no action has been taken by Governor Obaseki even when those close to him have been appealing to us to sheath our sword for amicable resolution of the aforementioned issue.

“Thus, with another month setting in, the Benin Traditional Council’s(BTC) monthly statutory allocations he intentionally withheld is now spanning four months and this action of Governor Obaseki doesn’t suggest that he is a Benin man or son of the soil.

“It is often said that when a purpose of an issue is not defined, abuse becomes inevitable which is likened to the action of Governor Obaseki as it relates to the seizure of four months Benin Traditional Council statutory allocations.

“As the voice of Edo people, we are appealing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call Governor Obaseki to order to immediately release the four months Benin Traditional Council(BTC) statutory allocations he deliberately withheld to prevent the unexpected protest from Edo people.”

Signed: Iyamu Osaro Culture
President

Osaghae Amadin Collins
Secretary General