By Simon Ebegbulem & Gabriel Enogholase

BENIN—Edo Youths Organisation, EYO, an umbrella body of youths in Edo State, yesterday, warned that those criticising the Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief David Edebiri, over his declaration that the Binis will not vote for President Goodluck Jonathan face the risk of being banished from Benin Kingdom.

Meanwhile, another Palace Chief, Chief Amos Osunbor, the Eson of Benin Kingdom, has insisted that the Esogban was not the highest ranking chief who should speak for the Binis.

Chief Edebiri, who also is the Chairman of Benin Forum, the mouthpiece of the Oba of Benin, had said that rather than site projects in Benin land, President Jonathan removed the only Bini man in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, administration, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, who was Minister of State (Works), and replaced him with his ex-wife, Princess Stella Oduah.

But Chief Osunbor, who is the third in the hierarchy of Palace Chiefs in Benin Kingdom, while addressing journalists in Benin, said: “My first reaction was to ignore him and the vexatious remarks he made, but I thought otherwise because of the inherent danger that such unguarded statement portends for our people. So, I decided to call him to order in my capacity as the Eson of Benin Kingdom (3rd in hierarchy of chiefs in Benin Kingdom). I wish to stress the fact that Esogban is not the highest ranking chief, rather, it is the Iyase of Benin Kingdom who is the Prime Minister.”

On its part, EYO in a statement by its President, Derick Uhunmwagho, described the criticisms as unconstructive, challenging the critics to dispute whether the issues raised by Chief Edebiri were true or false.

“Chief Edebiri is one of our respected Royal Fathers in Benin Kingdom and that is why we pity those criticising his comments because they don’t know the consequences of being banished. How can they say Jonathan will get vote in Edo land when even recently, the wife of one of our brothers, Prof. Omorogbe who was Permanent Secretary/Legal Adviser to NNPC was sacked.”