By Abdul Seye
The House of Representatives has resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to resolve the crisis between the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki and Oba of Benin, Ewuare II.
The resolution to set up the committee was reached on Tuesday following a motion of urgent public importance moved by Billy Osawaru and four others.
Moving the motion, Osawaru said there is a deliberate attempt to split the kingdom into smaller chiefdoms.
He stated that the Oba of Benin presides over the entire Benin South Senatorial District, adding that the Oba appoints chiefs to manage the affairs of the places.
“The Oba of Benin (with the support of Chiefs appointed by him) exercises his customary dominionship over the Benin Kingdom through the Benin Traditional Council, as the only competent traditional authority in Edo South Senatorial District,” he said.
He expressed worries that the move by the state government is an attempt to create a parallel customary council.
“Without any cause, the Government of Edo State has announced its intention to institute a “new regime” by creating new traditional councils in the said seven Local Government areas of Edo South Senatorial District.”
Consequently, the House resolved to set up an Ad Hoc Committee to interact with the Government of Edo State and the Benin Traditional Council with a view to resolving the conflict brought about by the plan of the State Government.
The House also mandated the ad hoc committee to also interact with the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Nigeria Police Force and all other Federal Government Security Forces in Edo State to sensitize them on the need to avert any violent breakdown of law and order in Edo South and Edo State as a whole, following the plan of the State Government.
The committee was directed to report back to the House not later than one month.
