Monday, September 5, 2022, was meant to be a day of protest in the acclaimed City of Bronze. The protest would have been in the tune of mother of all protests, the type never done before in the history of the City.
Days to the proposed planned protest, the organisers, Coalition of Socio-Cultural Organisations, had run a well worded advert cum enlightment campaign where they made reference to the protest which was meant to have the Palace of the Oba of Benin as it’s take off point commencing from 7am that morning.
Soon the grapevine was agog that the protest march was meant to give support to the Benin monarch, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare 11, in his quest to put an end to the hydra headed crisis of landgrabbing which has gained a lot of ground in Benin Kingdom.
According to the feelers, the organisers, and indeed the majority of Benin people, were not feeling comfortable with the way the state goverent seem to be acting in tacit support of the landgrabbers by way of its action whereby those earlier arrested as been the brain behind the landgrabbing evil were said to be have been left off the hook by the orders of the government led by Godwin Obaseki.
Not only that Frank Irabor, the Secretary of the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), and six others who are in good standing with the monarch were taken to court from where they were remanded in prison, an action that is considered as a taboo in Benin tradition.
The Omo N’Oba had to mandate his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Osaigbovo Iguobaro, to issue forth a statement stopping the planned protest.
Popular News gathered from the grapevine that prior to the timely intervention of the royal father the protesters in their plan for the protest had gotten some materials including a coffin and posters to signify their anger at what is perceived that the Oba is been subjected to by the powers that be in the state.
“While the Palace appreciates their concern, let it be known that , the Palace of the Oba of Benin does not want such gathering at this time and consequently directs that the organisers of the gathering halt the exercise immediately.
“The issue in question that led to their arrest is being resolved. In this regard, nobody or group of persons should gather in the Oba of Benin Palace or anywhere in Benin Kingdom on Monday, 5th September, 2022.
“This announcement is important for all those concerned to comply please,” the message from the Palace stated.
In heeding to Oba Ewuare’s orders the protesters had in a statement said, “It is worthy of note that the marathon engagements the great Benin people undertook on social media led to the willingness of Governor Obaseki to resolve the lingering issue which he ought to do from the onset. In view of the aforementioned, we want to sincerely thank all Benins’ and lover of our revered Throne and Kingdom who supported the course while it lasted. May God Almighty and our Ancestors continue to bless, protect and guide you all (Amen).
“However, while we welcome peaceful resolution of the subject matter, we want to state without fear or favour that on no account should any individual or agent of government cast aspersions on our revered Throne henceforth.”
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