by Iyobosa Omoregie
After weeks of speculation over the state of his health, the Benin Traditional Council has announced that the Oba of Benin, Oba Erediauwa, is indisposed.
The announcement by the council came on Monday, March 16, in a statement signed by its Secretary, Frank Irabor, saying that the monarch’s public engagements in the palace, including settlement of disputes, were suspended till further notice.
The council, however, urged all palace chiefs and functionaries to perform their “routine traditional duties as usual.”
The statement read: “It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that, in the Palace parlance, ‘Uhunmwun ve Ekpen vb’ Ato,’ meaning the Leopard is ill in the Savannah bush. The explanation is that Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolopkolo, Erediauwa, CFR, Oba of Benin is indisposed.”
“Public engagements, including courtesy visits, hearing of complaints from individuals, families and communities, and in particular, complaints over inheritance and land disputes, are therefore suspended until further notice. All palace chiefs and functionaries are to note that their routine traditional duties continue as usual.”
