By Mike ALADENIKA
The newly promulgated law by Edo state government proscribing the activities of Okaegheles with regards to land acquisition and alleged land grabbing is fast generating tension in the polity as a group of youths have dared the state Governor, Mr. Godwin OBASEKI to make do his administration's threat to proscribe the Benin traditional youth heads of various communities.
The group, under the aegis of the Association of Okaegheles in Benin Kingdom has said that Edo State Government do not have any business or rights to ban Okaegheles in Benin Kingdom.
According to them, while on a peaceful protest to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) press Center in Benin "under the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) Law of Edo State, Okaegheles are not political appointees but subjects to His Majesty, Omo N' Oba N' Edo, Uku Akpolokpolor, Oba Ewuare II, Oba of Benin Kingdom.
While tendering their two page demand to Chairman of NUJ, Comrade Roland Osakue, the Association advised Edo State Government, to as a matter of urgency retrieve their statement against the Okaegheles of Benin Kingdom to avoid untold legal issues in the State.
The statement reads, "Our attention has been drawn to the Edo State Government ban on the activities of Okaegheles in Edo State and we have decided to engage the government on a peaceful protest against the statement by the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.
"Okaegheles in the Benin Kingdom is an age long traditional position under the Benin Native Laws and Customs which is over 400 years old, it is not a recent creation.
"That under the Benin Traditional Council settings, Communities have Leadership Structures which comprises the Odionwere, the Ohen, the Okaeghele in addition to the Enogie in Communities where Enogie exists.
"Okaegheles of Benin KINGDOM are not appointees of Government of Edo State, "Okaegheles of Benin Kingdom are only Loyal and subjects to the Oba of Benin Kingdom. The Okaegheles are traditionally appointed by the Odionweres/Enogies who are all traditional subjects of the Oba of Benin Kingdom.
"Edo State Government do not have any business or rights to ban Okaegheles in Benin Kingdom under the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) Law of Edo State.
"We members of the Okaegheles of Benin Kingdom categorically state that any Okaeghele 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 are 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 by any group or Government.
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