By Newsmata
About 40 suspended Enigie (Dukes) of Benin Kingdom have appealed to the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare 11, for clemency and forgiveness.
Newsmata recalls that the Benin monarch had on Friday, March 7, 2025, approved the suspension of 67 Enigie across the seven local government areas of the Benin Kingdom, over alleged anti-palace and rebellious activities.
Their suspension was announced in a statement by the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor.
The state government also ratified their suspension by overriding the five executive orders issued by the immediate past governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki, with one executive order.
The state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Paul Ohonbamu in a statement after the State Executive Council meeting on Tuesday, said the move was to maintain order and discipline in the state’s traditional institution.
Ohonbamu emphasized that the actions of the Enigies amounted to a cultural coup d’état, when they attempted to overthrow the Oba of Benin.
However, the 40 remorseful Enigie in a statement on Wednesday, denied with great trepidation all the allegation of misconduct against them.
The statement, signed by Victor Etinosa Oguigo of Ugoniyekikpoba Dukedom, noted that it would be “suicidal for one to wrestle with his personal God, which you represent in our individual lives.”
The statement reads in part:
“We are therefore appealing most passionately for your Majesty to have compassion and forgiveness for any or all our short comings.
“As our father, it is often said that ‘the hand you use to beat a child is the same hand you use to draw him close to yourself’.
“We wish to state here categorically that at no time did any of the Enigie subscribe to any oath not to pay allegiance to Omo N’oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, CFR, Oba of Benin.
“We at no time swore to any oath not to visit the palace of the Oba of Benin or answer to any summon or invitation by your Royal Majesty. We neither swore to any other oath that we will not participate in any activities of his Royal Majesty and the Palace of the Oba of Benin nor swore to any oath not to pay traditional homage to the Oba of Benin.
“Your Majesty Sir, we humbly appeal to your Majesty to temper justice with mercy and forgive us all. We are prepared and willing to appear before your majesty Omo N’Oba N’édo on your invitation and we are willing and prepared to continue to perform our task and obligations to your Majesty and the Palace”.