Edo State Government Affirms Oba Of Benin’s Leadership Amidst Traditional Ruler Funding Clarification

The Edo State Government, led by Governor Godwin Obaseki, has reasserted the unchallenged and indisputable authority of the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, as the head of all traditional rulers and chiefs in Edo State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

This clarification was communicated through a statement issued by the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Osa Nehikhare, on Friday….CONTINUE READING

The government emphasized that the Oba of Benin’s position as the perpetual head of traditional rulers remains paramount within the State Government’s adherence to the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Edict of 1979, particularly with respect to section 45 of the edict.

The statement highlighted that the subvention provided to the monarch has actually increased under Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration and has not been reduced, contrary to misleading information circulated by misinformed parties.

This increase is attributed to the incorporation of Value Added Tax (VAT) and excess crude components into the funding allocation.

Nehikhare continued to explain that a temporary arrangement was agreed upon with traditional rulers to centralize funds in a common pool temporarily during a period of disagreement among some traditional rulers from April 2023 to July 2023.

It was emphasized that the statutory payments were made up until April 2023 and that this pooling approach was undertaken to address administrative issues.

The administrative matters were subsequently resolved through discussions between the Edo State Government and a delegation from the palace, led by the Iyase of Benin, Chief Sam Igbe. As a result, the funds are now being disbursed to various traditional rulers throughout the state, including the Benin Traditional Council (BTC).

The total disbursement amounts to N1,316,746,764.13. Of this sum, N639,269,245.26 is allocated to traditional rulers in Edo South Senatorial District, N319,634,622.63 to the Benin Traditional Council, and the remaining balance distributed to traditional councils in the district’s seven local governments, with a reserve for emergencies.