BENIN CITY- The Benin Royal Family has frowned at the statement credited to Enogie Uyiekpen Akenzua that “he (Enogie), is not aware that something is amiss in Chief Igbinedion’s relationship with the Palace.”

A Statement signed on behalf of the Benin Royal Family by Prince Edison Aghatise Eweka JP, who is the Odion – egbe of the Benin Royal Family, recalled that on January 4, 2008, the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) issued a press statement titled “Resolutions by Palace Chiefs at meetings held on Friday 25th and Monday 29th January 2008, at Iwori Hall, the Palace, Benin City.

The Statement said that after a motion, the Chiefs unanimously decided, among other things, to declare Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion “Oghian Oba”, suspended him and stripped him indefinitely of all the privileges attached to the title: “The statement further said that any Benin person who related with him as the Esama would be seen as a person who is hostile to the Palace.

Prince Eweka further stated that the resolutions were given wide publicity yet Enogie Uyiekpen, according to newspapers reports, said he was not aware that something was wrong with Chief Igbinedion’s relationship with the Palace.

He added that the Royal Family had decided to react and let the public know its stand on the matter.

Prince Eweka according to the release said Enogie Uyiekpen was reported to have said “ I don’t know whether the relationship between both families is strain (sic).

I don’t know. But even if it has been strained, this marriage is enough to reconcile him with the royal family.

“No wonder some newspaper called the event marriage of reconciliation. If chief Igbinedion gave his daughter to the Enogie, as settlement for a dispute between him and the Enogie, that is a matter between both of them. The Palace and the Royal Family should be left out of it,” the statement added.

It stressed that, “ the family wants to make it clear, that Enogie Uyiekpen, anybody for that matter, is not competent to speak or act for or on behalf of the Palace, the Royal Family or the Akenzuas, unless such a person is mandated by the Oba to do so”.

Prince Aghatise Eweka said that the Royal Family, indeed all Benins, were averse to their sons or daughters marrying into the family of “Oghian Oba” Enogie Uyiekpen knows this. He was advised to postpone the engagement until the Chief (Igbinedion) is granted pardon”. He further said Enogie Uyiekpen was aware that “Chief Igbinedion’s plea for forgiveness was at present, before the Omo N’Oba . He ignored the advice, for reasons best known to him which made the family to snub the marriage introduction” Prince Eweka emphasized.

He also pointed out that the Royal Family does not choose a spouse for its members except for the crown Prince, Edaiken whose first wife is expected, by tradition to be of Benin Origin, noting that Enogie Uyiekpen is therefore at liberty to pick a spouse for his son from were ever he likes. (“But the family frowns at the timing of his action which is scandalous and spiteful.”

Besides, he noted that Enogie Uyiekpen and the two members of the family who accompanied him on that ignoble mission were turncoats against whom appropriate sanction would be imposed.

Prince Eweka explained that the Oba honoured Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion with the title, “Esama”, and admitted him as courtier in the Royal Court, saying it is an irony that he has now become an embarrassment to the institution that made him.”