The Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare II, has resolved the leadership crisis plaguing Iguoshodin N’ Igbemaba Community in Ovia North East local government area of Edo State, seven years after the hostility began.
This followed the appointment of Pa Johnson Ahanor as the Odionwere of Iguoshodin N’ Ikgbemaba by the revered Benin monarch who also ordered a young man, Mr Friday Eghenayariore Agho aided by some untrustworthy individuals, to stop parading himself as the Odionwere (Village head) of Iguoshodin N’ Igbemaba forthwith.
Oba Ewuare II rendered the verdict after reviewing the submissions of the parties in the dispute during a meeting with community elders in Oba Palace, Benin City, Edo State.
Oba Ewuare II also suspended and reprimanded the leader (Owere) of Iguoshodin N’ Igbemaba, a subset of Iwebu Royal Guild in Benin, Pa Daniel Ewemade Igbinovia, over alleged misconduct, along with a few recalcitrant individuals who have made life unbearable for the people in the community.
The first class traditional ruler, reaffirmed that it is a taboo in Benin for young people to preside over the affairs of villages or communities where older elders exist.
Oba Ewuare explained that age remains one of the major criteria that is used to determine an Odionwere, not according to hierarchical order at the elders’ Council chamber otherwise known as Ogua Edion in villages and communities across Benin Kingdom.
The royal personage charged elders across the various villages and communities in the Benin Kingdom to take their place in society in line with the principles of common and shared responsibility.
In the meantime, the Odionwere of Iguoshodin N’ Igbemaba, Pa Ahanor and the Okaighele of the Community, Kenneth Omoregbe, have undergone the necessary traditional rite in accordance with Benin customs and tradition.
