By Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu

BENIN CITY – IT was a grand entry for the hovering traditional ruler of Uromi in Esan North-East Local Government, Edo State, HRH Zaiki Anselm Aidenojie II, when he stopped over at the palace of the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Ed Uku Akolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, to appreciate the role of the revered Benin monarch in re-establishing him to his throne.

*Ojiromi and his wife at the palace

A return to his roots for the monarch because Uromi was said to have been founded by emigrants from Benin kingdom and the first ruler was a son of Oba Ewuare, The Great.  

Suspension

Aidenojie II was initially suspended for seven days by the state government in October 2016 over allegations that he attacked a woman publicly earlier on September 28 and also refused to respond to a query issued him by the state government.

A letter signed by the then Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, accused him of also not responding to a query issued him within the stipulated seven days

“Based on the above and convinced that your Highness has denied yourself of the opportunity of entering a plea against the charges against you that were duly conveyed in writing to you, and therefore in exercise of the powers conferred on the State Executive Council by virtue of Section 28(1) of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law (1979) and all other Laws enabling it in that behalf, has approved your suspension from office as the Onojie of Uromi with immediate effect for a period of seven (7) days, that is, from the 26th of October 2016 to the 1st of November, 2016.

“Consequently, within the suspension period, you shall cease to be recognised and treated as traditional ruler or as the Onojie of Uromi in Edo State and you shall not exercise any powers or function or enjoy any privileges provided for under the Traditional Rulers and Chief Law (1979) and all other relevant provisions under the said law…if within the said 7 days no public apology is tendered by your very self, you will stand deposed as the Onojie of Uromi,” the government stated.

Deposition

And consequently, he was deposed on November 9, 2016 by the then Governor Adams Oshiomhole in pursuant to Section 28 (i & ii) of the Traditional Rulers & Chiefs Law, 1979 after the expiration of seven days suspension earlier slammed on him.

Gov Obaseki’s dilemma/Bini monarch’s intervention

However, there have been pleas and appeals for leniency by various political and social groups both at home and in the Diaspora to the present governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki to reinstate the monarch.

It was gathered that the governor was not disposed to reversing the decision of his predecessor so early in the life of his administration until the Benin monarch stepped in and appealed for a reversal to save the revered traditional institution in the state.

Momentous visit

On the historic visit, few days ago, where prominent sons of Uromi and Esan land, Aidenojie II said: “I am here with my sons and daughters to appreciate you for the fatherly role you played on my reinstatement; it showed for me that you are a father indeed. Uromi is the biggest community in Esan land I want to assure you that myself and my people will continue to support you, we will continue to support your leadership, we will continue to support you for the development of the state,” the monarch said.

Oba Ewuare speaks

Oba Ewuare II in his response, said: “We are very happy, today is double joy. I do not have much to say than to say we do not pray for such incidence again in the future by way of ensuring that anything happening in your domain, you quickly nip it in the bud, I always say prevention is better than cure. I do not have too much but to keep on advising that it is expedient for traditional rulers to always avoid being partisan, they should be for everybody, including the politicians.

“They are all our subjects, they are all our subjects and they will always come to us, we must endeavor to give everybody level playing ground and pray to God almighty, pray to our ancestors to give us the leaders that will respect traditional institutions and contribute to the development of infrastructure in the state and assist the common man as they say, even though there is no man that is common so they all can have access to good governance,” he asserted.