Tension in Benin over plan to coronate Shuwa Arab as Sultan of Edo

Disquiet and condemnation trails arrangements by some Shuwa Arabs from Borno State as the Sultan of Shuwa Arab of Edo State to exercise his sultanate jurisdiction in the State.

The people of Edo State and some parts of South South Nigeria are disturbed that there was an attempt for Shuwa Arabs, an ethnic group in Borno, North West Nigeria to extend their empire in the South, a development is currently heightening tension among residents of Benin.

The coronation event has been slated for 21st and 22nd August, 2021 according to invitation card sewn by CAPITAL POST on Wednesday.

The event was scheduled to take place at Rialto Hotel, Eyaen, a suburb of Benin City.

Some elders who are acquainted with traditional institutions are raising objections, stating that the development is in conflict with the agelong traditional institution in Edo State.

Elder Curtis Ugbo, President of Benin Solidarity Movement (BSM) vowed to mobilise Benin indigenes to resist the coronation.

“We will do whatever it will take to resist”, it is an “evil act” by persons who are bent on fomenting trouble. “This will never happen in the Benin Kingdom, we are Benin.

“BSM will want the security agencies to go on the trail of these individuals. We are expressing our distaste being that in Benin Kingdom, we only recognize our father, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, N’Ogidigan as our supreme monarch; any other claimant to the royalty in the kingdom is inviting trouble.”

The Coordinator-General of Great Benin Descendants (GBD), Imasuen Izoduwa said the organization would meet and lock up the hotel-venue of the coronation, for allowing “such nonsense” in the land.

Comrade Amos Ehinomen Uagbor said: “Is this obtainable elsewhere?

We should now have Oba and Sultan in Edo state ? Infact, the venue should be sealed`’.

Also, Iduriase, the owner of the proposed hotel for the coronation has also distanced himself from the event

One of the RSVP numbers in the invite when contacted with the truecaller on the phone identifying him as Hassan Yakubu Jidda, confirmed the planned ceremony adding “We have already done the coronation with Seriki Hausa, what we are planning is the party to celebrate the coronation. The Oba of Benin is aware and the government is aware.”

Meanwhile, Edo State government was yet to issue a statement confirming if it was aware of the arrangement or not.

Usually, coronation, before it takes place any where in Nigeria were usually permitted by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs of a State, headed by an appointed Commissioner.