THE Benin Traditional Council (BTC) has warned against the planned installation and turbaning of an Hausa traditional ruler in Benin City.
The BTC, in a statement on Thursday, April 18, by the Iyase (traditional prime minister) of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, while frowning seriously moves to install one Alhaji Danjuma Garba Binkola as the Garkuwan Hausawa Benin on Sunday, May 5, 2024, described any such action as a violation of Benin Traditional and Customary Law.
The statement, while alerting the Edo State Police Command, other security agencies and the general public on the serious implications of the plan, urged organisers of the ceremony to refrain from violating the sanctity of the Benin Traditional and Customary Law.
The statement read: “It has come to the notice of the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) that an individual claiming to be known as ‘His Royal Highness, Alhaji Adamu Isah Adamu,’ and who describes himself as ‘Sarkin Hausawa,’ plans to perform a turbaning ceremony in which one “Alhaji Danjuma Garba Binkola” will be installed as “Garkuwan Hausawa Benin” on Sunday 5th May, 2024 at No. 7, Butcher Street, Off Mission Road, Benin City.
“The BTC hereby informs the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies, as well as the general public that this planned event is a violation of Benin Traditional and Customary Law, applicable to chieftaincy matters and, therefore, must NOT HOLD under any circumstances.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the BTC wishes to emphasise that as the prescribed authority on chieftaincy matters within the seven Local government areas of Edo South Senatorial District, the Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, His Royal Majesty, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin, has not given consent to or approved the turbaning or conferment of chieftaincy title by whatever name called on any individual by the name “Alhaji Danjuma Garba Binkola” or permitted any person by the name, “His Royal Highness, Alhaji Adamu Isah Adamu” to hold any such ceremony in Benin City or any other part of Edo South Senatorial District, Edo State.
“Consequently, these errant individuals are hereby urged to refrain from violating the sanctity of the Benin Traditional and Customary Law by cancelling the planned ceremony forthwith.”
