Oba of Benin put a Curse ACN Youth Leader
For the second time this year, the Benin monarch, Oba Erediauwa has vent his anger and put a curse on the Edo state Youth Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Mr. Osakpanwa Eriyo a.k.a 'nomoreless' Mr. Eriyo, who is also the Chairman of the Edo State Task Force Committee on the Vandalization of Pipeline, was alleged to have assaulted the Oba's son, Prince Ekpen, an incident which is considered a taboo in Benin tradition.
The Oba, unable to stomach the assault on his son, who is the Caretaker Chairman of the Oredo Local Government Area, placed a curse on the alleged culprit after describing the action as a taboo in Benin Kingdom.
All the Chiefs in the kingdom, led by the Iyase of Benin, Chief Sam Igbe; the Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief David Edebiri; Obasogie of Benin Kingdom, Chief Eduwor Ekhator, went round the city, with pots of charms and placed curse on Eriyo who has now been declared an enemy of the Oba with grave consequences.
An enemy of the Oba of Benin is seen as an enemy to the entire Benin kingdom.
Even his relations would abandon him and give him a long distance. He may eventually die of loneliness, depression and boredom.
A statement by the Chairman, Peace and Conflict Resolution in the Oba's Palace, Chief Eduwor Ekhator, read: 'no one can demystify the monarchical value of the Benin Royal Palace of the Oba.
"Attempt by any person or persons to destroy the long existing peace and unity of the Benin will be checked with rebuked condemnation.
'The attempt on the Benin Prince was a demonstration of recklessness and lack of respect for a constituted authority.
"It is highly provocative, sacrilegious and unacceptable and thereby deserves total condemnation by every Edo son and daughter both at home and in the Diaspora."
The statement advised sympathisers to maintain peace and obey the rules of the state.
While this went on, thousands of Benin indigenes including traders and youths went round the ancient city in red attires demanding for the outright banishment of Mr. Eriyo, who to them has committed sacrilege requiring serious punishment.
Also the Edo state government said Eriyo has been suspended indefinitely from any government activity.
The statement by the government, released by the Governor's Chief Press Secretary, Mr Peter Okhiria, stated that 'all contracts in respect of revenue collection in Oredo Local Government Area are also hereby suspended.'
Eriyo, who is the Chairman Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, Edo State chapter, assaulted the Benin Prince during a meeting of the leadership of the ACN in Oredo council.
He was also said to have tore his shirt in public during a argument on who among the two has the legal backing to collect revenue in the Local Government.
The Oba had weeks ago forbade the Minister State for Works, Mr. Chris Ogiemwonyi from visiting the palace till the completion of the Lagos-Benin Expressway.