Youths Protest At Obaseki’s Family Home Over Alleged Disrespect To Benin Palace

Some youths in Edo State, on Friday, staged a protest at the Obaseki family residence, alleging persistent disrespect to the Oba of Benin and the Benin royal palace.

The protesters, who arrived with placards and chanted songs in Bini language, remained at the location for nearly an hour. They issued a joint statement warning against actions or utterances they said undermine the sacredness of the Benin throne.

The statement, titled ‘Public Warning and Call for Accountability’, was jointly signed by the President of Aiguobasinmwin Movement Worldwide, Iyamu Osaro (popularly known as Culture), and the Coordinator of Otedo Youth Union, Uwadiae Iyoha. It was read at the protest venue and later made available to journalists.

According to the group, the protest was necessitated by what they described as “reckless utterances” and “sustained provocations” by former Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, and his associates against the Oba of Benin.

They insisted that the Benin palace remains sacred to the Edo people and warned that they would not tolerate any attempt to ridicule the revered institution, either physically or online.

The youths also criticised the Obaseki family for allegedly failing to caution its members when they disrespected the Oba, despite condemning the harassment of Dr Pedro Obaseki, a cousin of the former governor.

While stressing that they do not support violence, the group warned that individuals who disrespect the Benin throne would be held accountable through lawful and civil means. They further called on the former governor to return to the state to address issues linked to him.

The protesters urged the Obaseki family to publicly reaffirm their loyalty to the throne and called on their sons to “right the wrongs of the past.”

The protest comes amid lingering tensions between former Governor Obaseki and the Oba of Benin over the siting of the Museum of West African Arts (MOWAA) project.

Meanwhile, the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) has distanced the Oba from the recent manhandling of Dr Pedro Obaseki, who was reportedly stripped and taken to the palace after being attacked by suspected thugs in Benin City.

In a statement signed by the BTC Secretary, Frank Irabor, the council said the Oba did not authorise the incident, stressing that such actions were not in the character of the monarch.