Edo PDP Chieftain Queries Benin Palace Stance On Oshiomhole, Igbinedion Rift

THE feud between Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole and the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion seems not to be abating as a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Emmanuel Igiebor, yesterday frowned at the seeming silence of the Benin Palace on the rift.

He alleged that comments credited to the Governor during a recent Town Hall meeting were derogatory to the palace.

Addressing journalists yesterday, Igiebor alleged that the comments made by Oshiomhole during a recent Town Hall meeting to mark his seventh year anniversary in office which was allegedly directed at the Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom was a mark of disrespect.

He noted that Igbinedion being a palace chief should not be allowed to be “insulted” by the Governor.

He said the silence from the palace chiefs has made him uncomfortable, stressing that that was why he decided to make his comments public.

Flanked by leaders of the PDP from various wards in Orhionmwon, Igiebor said: “I humbly want to call on the Palace High Chiefs to react either positively or negatively to these statements because palace chiefs cannot be said or seen to be on the fence. The entire Binis are anxious to know whether or not the Esama is a palace chief.”

He said that rather than state his achievements during the event, Oshiomhole compared the title of the Esama of Benin to the stool of the Oba of Benin, Omo N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolor, Oba Erediauwa, describing the action as an abomination to the Benin Kingdom.

“For anybody to compare the Esama to the Reverend stool of the Oba Of Benin as done by Oshiomhole presently calls for serious concern. For any individual to compare Esama title to the Oba throne is seen as aspersion on the Benin nation,” he said. ‎