Obaseki Denies Withholding Edo Traditional Rulers' Allocations, Says Oba of Benin's Subvention Has Increased

                 Omo N'Oba Ewuare II

Hendrix Oliomogbe

Edo State Government has vehemently denied withholding the statutory five percent allocations from the coffers of local government areas to the revered Oba of Benin, Omo N'Oba Ewuare II and other traditional rulers in the state.

A statement weekend in Benin by the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Mr. Chris Nehikhare explained that in the wake of disagreement among the royal fathers between April and July this year over some administrative issues, an agreement was reached with the government to temporarily warehouse the funds in a central pool pending the resolution.

Against the backdrop of fake news that funds to the Benin monarch were withheld from July 2022 to July 2023, Mr. Nehikhare insisted that the statutory payment was fulfilled until April 2023, when it was agreed for the money to be warehoused.

The commissioner said that with the  resolution of the issue by the government and a Palace delegation led by the Iyase of Benin, Chief Sam Igbe, the pool of funds are now being disbursed to the various traditional rulers across the State as well as the Benin Traditional Council (BTC).

He noted that instead of reduction, the subvention to the Benin monarch and other traditional rulers in the state has actually increased since Governor Godwin Obaseki took over the reins of power because the Value Added Tax (VAT) and the excess crude components have been included.

Mr. Nehikhare reiterated the Oba of Benin’s position as the permanent head of all the traditional rulers in Edo State remains sacrosanct in the government’s implementation of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Edict of 1979, especially as relates to section 45.

The commissioner disclosed that the total amount presently disbursed to all the traditional rulers in the state is N1,316,746,764.13 out of which, N639,269,245.26, goes to the traditional rulers in Edo South Senatorial District.

He added: "While the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) gets N319,634,622.63, the balance of N255,707,698 is distributed to the traditional councils in the seven local governments in the senatorial district, while N63,926,924.52 left is reserved for any emergency in the councils.

"In the same vein, Edo North traditional rulers get N377,642,592.6 while Edo Central traditional rulers receive N299,834,926.27."

Mr. Nehikhare continued: "It is therefore shocking to hear mischief makers trying to stir a phantom crisis between the Edo State Government and the palace of the revered monarch Oba Ewuare II), with many of them making completely false statements and spreading misinformation on social media.

"We call on Edo people to be wary of misinformation and know that everything is being done according to the law and the accounts of the traditional rulers are being credited."