Members of the Association of Ekaighele (youth leaders) in Benin Kingdom, have staged a peaceful protest against a recent law made by Obaseki’s administration, proscribing their existence.

The protesters besieged the popular popular King’s Sqaure (Ring Road), Benin, the state capital, causing heavy gridlock with mitorists and commuters trapped in the gridlock for several hours.

The protesters were carrying placards and banners with various inscriptions such as; “We are proud of our King’, “Governor Obaseki, you are not our spiritual father “We are Okaigheles to the Palace of Oba of Benin, not
Government House, Benin City’, amongst others.

The protesters also visited the Palace of the Benin Monarch to register their grievances and thereafter proceeded to the NUJ Press Centre, Benin City, where they also intimated Reporters present of their mission.

Addressing reporters at NUJ Press Centre, Chairman of the Association of Ekaighele, Glory Ikponmwosa, disclosed that they were not political
appointees.

He said they were not politicians and cannot be treated as such, emphasizing that they were ready to resist any attempt to reduce their rights as traditional citizens of Benin Kingdom by anyone or group of persons.

“We are natives of Benin Kingdom and we cannot be intimidated or oppressed, under any guise.

“Okaighele is an age-long traditional position under the Benin native laws and customs, which are over 400 years old, not recent creations.

“Edo State government and Obaseki’s administration do not have business or rights to ban Okaigheles to operate
in Benin Kingdom, under the Benin Traditional Council law of Edo State.

“Under the Benin Traditional Council settings, communities have leadership structures, which comprise the Odionwere, the Ohen, the Okaigheles, and the Enogies” Glory Ikponmwosa added.

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki recently assented to a law passed by members of Edo House of Assembly, through a bill
that repealed the Edo State Private Property Protection Law 2017, thereby re-enacting the Edo State Private Property Protection Law 2021.