GROUP FROWNS AT NON PAYMENT OF STIPEND DUE TRADITIONAL RULERS IN EDO STATE.

By Mike ALADENIKA.

The  Benin Solidarity Movement (BSM) worldwide has frowned at what it termed "the stoppage of the monthly stipend due to  Traditional Rulers  in the state by the  Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin  Obaseki.

BSM in a statement issued by it's president, world wide,  Curtis Eghosa Ugbo, made available to Newsmen in Benin City said

"the stoppage of the monthly stipend has vigorously affected the payment of the salaries of workers in the employment of the Traditional Rulers.

According to Curtis Ugbo "Godwin Obaseki's directive to the Local Government Councils, stopping them from paying the Traditional Rulers' stipends is easily percieved  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 N'Ogidigan, believed to have  been  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 through their Local Government Councils and Godwin Obaseki do not have  Legal or Constitutional rights 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."

Meanwhile, the reaction of the state government could not be officially gotten but sources close to the Denis Osadebe avenue seat of government in Benin City say the temporary stoppage of payment of Local Government personnel as well as all other commitments of councils were not targeted at any individual, let alone our revered fathers.

The source, who spoke with SPARKNEWSNAIJA under the covers of anonimity  said the state government is auditing the finances  of councils which necessitated whatever is been experienced now.
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