- Ewuare II had asked the federal government to take custody of the stolen artefacts after they were repatriated.
- Oba of Benin had said the stolen bronzes are not the property of the Edo state government but that of the Benin kingdom.
The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has dissolved traditional councils in Edo South senatorial district formed by Godwin Obaseki, his predecessor.
Fred Itua, chief press secretary to Okpebholo, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Benin City.
The Edo governor also reinstated the Benin Traditional Council’s (BTC) financial entitlements and ordered the pre-council status quo maintained.
Itua noted that the governor complied with the Federal Government’s directive, restoring the Oba of Benin’s rights to ancient artefacts looted during the 1897 Benin massacre.
The statement noted that these decisions align with the governor’s efforts to correct past mistakes and foster government-people relations.
The state government also withdrew a letter revoking the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre’s concession issued by the previous administration.
According to the statement, the Okpebholo administration is restoring the centre to its original purpose.
“This administration also hereby abolishes the new traditional councils in Edo South, created by the last administration,” the statement reads.
“Governor Okpebholo has restored the statutory financial entitlements of the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) and has ordered that the status quo before the creation of the now abolished councils be maintained.
“The Okpebholo administration is backing the initial plan of the State Government to build the Benin Royal Museum that will house the returned artefacts and is distancing itself from the Museum of West Africa Art (MOWA) which the previous administration fronted.
“The Federal Government had issued a Gazette for the recognition of ownership and custody of the repatriated Benin artefacts to Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II.
This was done through a Government Notice No.25 in the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No.57, Volume 110.
“Governor Okpebholo respects the rights and privileges of the traditional ruler of Benin Kingdom, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare ll and pledges the support of his administration to ensure the Monarch plays his role as the custodian of the rich cultural heritage of the Benin people.
“It is in recognition of this that the administration of Governor Okpebholo shall support the decision of the Federal Government to uphold the Oba of Benin as the exclusive owner of the returned Benin artifacts that were looted by the British Colonial forces during the Benin masaca of 1897.
“The Oba of Benin, as the father of all Benin people, is the sole custodian of the customs and traditions of the Benin people and my administration respects customs and traditions in the land and hereby restores the statutory rights of the Oba of Benin as the true custodian of the returned Benin artefacts.
“Governor Okpebholo said his administration is committed and will refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of the Benin Traditional Council.
“The Governor is using his constitutional powers and the respect for traditional institutions and the revered Oba of Benin to restore all other Statutory Rights of the Monarch not mentioned hereof.”