Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, has taken action against six traditional functionaries for their allegiance pledge to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.
The suspended aides include Johnbull Igbinosun, Iduhonre (Ihogbe), S.E. Aigbiremwen, Efesieoghoba (Ogbelaka), Ogbeide Osagie, and Osamudiame Edo, as announced by Sam Igbe, the Iyase of Benin, on behalf of the Benin Traditional Council (BTC).
The suspension follows the circulation of video clips on social media showing the functionaries in the company of the Ooni of Ife, falsely claiming to represent Oba Ewuare II. The BTC denounced their actions as sacrilegious and false representations of Benin customs and traditions.
In response to the incident, the BTC urged the public to disregard the inaccurate accounts provided by the suspended functionaries and referred them to official sources for accurate information on the historical connection between the Benin Royal Dynasty and the Ooni-ship of Ife.
Citing the authority of Oba Ewuare II, the BTC announced the suspension of the functionaries from their roles, cautioning the public to refrain from engaging with them during their suspension period.
The incident underscores the historical rivalry between the Benin Kingdom and the Ooni of Ife, with both kingdoms vying for supremacy.
In 2016, the Ooni of Ife asserted that the Benin Kingdom remained part of the expansive Yoruba race, further highlighting the complex dynamics between the two ancient monarchies.
