…as State govt warns ‘we won’t spare anyone caught, no matter how highly placed’
Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, and the Oba of Benin, may be on a collision course following the insistence of the state government that the ban on Okaighele (community youth leaders) activities in seven local government areas in Edo South Senatorial District remains in force.
Oba of Benin Palace had on June 7 opposed the action of the Edo State Government against the youth group.
Chief Osaro Idah, the Obazelu of Benin, who spoke on behalf of the monarch while addressing the Okaigheles who had protested to the Palace,
had said that the State government could not ban the group by fiat because they belonged to the Benin ancestors.
The Oba Palace had insisted that the Okaighele represents a segment of the age-long Benin traditional administrative structure.
“Okaighele didn’t start in this Century. As you have age grades, and senior sons, so we have them. When Odionwere (village head) is appointed by the Oba, Okaighele assist the Odionwere in the daily administration of the domain on daily basis,” he had said.
However, the Edo State Government in its reaction to the Oba Palace’s comments, said the Okaighele and cultists pose the biggest threat to the security and stability of the state.
Commissioner for Orientation and Communication, Chris Nehikhare, while speaking on behalf of the state government, said Okaighele was banned in the interest of public safety.
Nehikhare described the state government’s action as a move to curb the alarming rise in cult-related activities.
The Commissioner said, “The Edo State Security Council data has shown that these two groups (Okaigheles and cultists) pose the most severe threat to the security and stability of the State, resulting in the decision of the Council to place a total ban on the criminal groups.
“While we respect the tradition and customs of our communities, it is important to note that the safety and security of our citizens must always come first.
“Chief Osaro Idah, Obazalu of Benin’s contradictory statement does not change the gravity of the situation at hand, and we stand by our decision to enforce this ban on Okaigheles to protect the lives of our people.”
He warned that government would not allow any individual or organization, no matter now highly placed, to undermine the efforts of the State Security Council to protect lives and property of innocent citizens.
“We reiterate that the activities of cultists, Okaigheles and their sponsors remain banned in the State and we will spare no effort to ensure that those who flout the ban are made to face the full weight of the Law.”
