By Simon Ebegbulem

BENIN—TRADITIONAL rulers from Edo Central and North senatorial district of Edo State, today, raised an alarm over alleged plot by Ijaw traditional rulers in Bayelsa states to disrespect the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, and called on security agents to arrest and prosecute the ruler of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Delta State, Pere Oboro Gbaraun over the botched attempt to install one Godwin Ogunyebo as the Pere of Olodiama Kingdom, in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.

The traditional rulers who insisted that Gelegele is part of the enclave of the Oba of Benin, described as disrespectful and an abomination, the attempt by the paramount ruler of Gbaramatu Kingdom to come and install a king in Benin Kingdom without the consent of the Oba of Benin, adding that if the perpetrators are not arrested, “we will head to Abuja to protest this act of rebellion against the revered Benin monarch.”

Addressing newsmen in Benin today, the First Vice Chairman, Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs and Onojie of Opoji, His Royal Highness (HRH), Ehidiamen Aidonojie I, said: “In the 13th and 14th century when the Portuguese entered Benin, the only Port in Benin was Gelegele and that was where the Portuguese lived and even built a house there. “It has always been part of Benin Kingdom. We had two provinces in Western region that later formed Midwest region. We had the Benin Province and Delta Province. The Benin Province included Gelegele. There was never a second kingdom and there can never be another kingdom inside the Benin Kingdom and it is headed by the Oba of Benin. “Only the Oba has the powers to appoint a Duke in Gelegele like he did in other areas.”

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