Obaseki was never Iyase of Benin Kingdom – Prince Edun Akenzua.

April 30, 2016   

In what seems to be a rejection of the governor’s choice of Obaseki as his successor, the younger brother of the Oba of Benin, Enogie of Obazuwa and leader of Benin Leaders of Thought – a political think thank for Benin people, Prince Edun Akenzua, has revealed that as far as Benin Kingdom was concerned, Chief Agho Ogbede-Oyo (aka Obaseki), the great grand father of the APC gubernatorial aspirant Godwin Obaseki, was never an Iyase of Benin Kingdom but an Iyase of Britain and her colonial people.

The monarch described as frivolous and erroneous the claims of Mr. Imasuen that Agho Ogbede-Oyo (Obaseki) was made Iyase of Benin, the highest chieftaincy title in Benin by Oba Ovonramwen. Prince Akenzua disclosed.

‘’Agho Ogbede-oyo’s title was Obaseki, not known at the time Ovonramwen left for Calabar. The Oba did not confer the title, Iyase on him either. The colonial authorities did; AGHO (OBASEKI) WAS THEIR FRIEND. That was after the passing on of Oba Ovonramwen.’’ Prince Akenzua said.

‘’The Oba is the only person who confers such titles. Rites go with conferment of titles. Any person on whom the Oba confers a title must perform the rites. Agho Obaseki did not perform the rites’’, Prince Akenzua continued.

He pointed out that Agho was made Iyase of Benin by the British because they (the British) felt disappointed that they could not make their friend, Obaseki, as Oba because of the resistance of the Benin system, after Aiguobasiwin, Ovonramwen’s eldest son was made Oba through primogeniture.

In a scathing reaction to the false claims made by former deputy Governor of Edo State, Mr. Lucky Imasuen published in the Vanguard Newspapers of Thursday March 31, 2016, the Enogie of Obazuwa published a rejoinder to set the records straight.

HRH Edun Akenzua lambasted Mr. Imasuen for saying that publication that the Benin Leaders of Thought (BLT), (a body which is chaired by the influential brother of the Oba) is ‘’doing the right thing at the wrong time’’ as regards BLT’s search for a proper Benin person to succeed Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

The influential monarch in Edo south senatorial district corrected the wrong impression in the interview claiming that ‘’it was not because BLT heard that the governor was supporting Obaseki that BLT called for a level playing field for aspirants.’’ Speaking further, he said, ‘’in October last year, BLT members heard a rumour that the governor had a preferred candidate for the governorship race. This was discussed at BLT meetings. The chairman was mandated to seek audience with the governor and find out if the rumour was true. Unfortunately, the chairman could not get audience from the governor.’’

Prince Akenzua reiterated that’’ throughout November, BLT was inundated with letters from persons accusing it of endorsing god-fatherism. The accusation was so intense that BLT decided to make a public statement refuting the allegation through a press conference on January 5.’’
The duke of Obazuwa added that BLT is “looking for a Benin person who will surpass what our indefatigable and progressive governor has done, or at least maintain the tempo.’’