Barely four days after the Edo State Government announced the ban on the activities of Okaigheles (youth leaders) in the Edo South senatorial district, the Oba of Benin’s palace has expressed disagreement with the decision.
Governor Godwin Obaseki announced the ban on June 3, 2024, following a closed-door meeting with security chiefs at the Government House in Benin City. This measure is part of renewed efforts to tackle cultism, which has claimed at least 150 lives between January and May 2024.
In response to the ban, Chief Osaro Idah, the Obazelu of Benin, speaking for the palace, addressed protesting Okaigheles and emphasized that these youth leaders are an integral part of the traditional Benin administrative structure and have not been banned within the Benin Kingdom. Chief Idah, supported by Chief Oghafua Oyeoba and Chief Uyi Okungbowa, clarified that while the palace does not condone any criminal activities, it will engage in dialogue with the government over this issue.
Idah stated, “Okaighele is not a new institution in Benin. It has existed for centuries as part of our traditional administration, assisting the Odionwere (village head) in daily governance.” He stressed that the Okaighele system cannot be abolished by fiat and assured the protesters that the palace would address their concerns with the appropriate authorities.
He also warned that the palace would support the government in prosecuting any Okaigheles involved in wrongdoing.
Earlier, Rowland Ogbomo, representing the aggrieved youths and Odionweres, stated that Okaighele is a creation of the palace and that the youth leaders maintain law and order according to Benin customs. He appealed to the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, to intervene urgently, asserting that the Okaigheles are not cultists.
“We are here to seek our royal father’s intervention regarding the recent ban by the Governor. We are not cultists,” Ogbomo stated.
