Okhaegeles(Youth leaders of communities in Edo South District) have squared up with Governor Godwin Obaseki over his flat out ban on them, saying: “We are Benins and we cannot be intimidated or oppressed under any guise of groups or government.”
In a protest round the state capital, Benin City, the embittered Okhaegeles reminded the governor that they are not political appointees under the leadership of the state government, adding that they’re only loyal and subjects to the Oba of Benin Kingdom.
Going forward, they stated that the Edo State Government “do not have any business or rights to ban Okhaegeles in Benin Kingdom under the Benin Traditional Council(BTC) of Edo State.
“We members of the Okhaegeles of Benin Kingdom, categorically state that any Okhaegele found wanting against the law of Edo State should be prosecuted according to the law of Edo State.
“We are not politicians and we should not be treated as one because we’re ready to resist any attempt to reduce our rights as traditional citizens of Benin Kingdom by anyone or groups of persons no matter who or what is involved.
“We are Benins and we cannot be intimidated or oppressed under any guise of groups or government.”
