Anger in Edo over Sultan of Shuwa Arabs planned installation

The plan by a group of persons to install a sultan in Edo state has sparked angry reaction from the people and government of the state on Thursday.

The Edo state Government and the Pan Niger Delta Forum were among those who condemned the arrangement to install a sultan in the state.

An online invitation by the group suspected to be Fulani has slated the event for Saturday, August  21 and Sunday, August 22, with the venue at Rialto in Eyaen, a suburb of Benin City, the state capital.

In a statement on Thursday, the Secretary to the Edo state Government, Osarodion Ogie, assure dthe people that a firm and decisive action will be taken to prevent the actualization of the “illegal and sacrilegious act”.

“Under the Edo State Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law, it is an offence for anyone to proclaim himself , or allow himself to be proclaimed as the holder of any traditional title not recognized under the said law and/or without the approval of the appropriate authorities.

On his part, the spokesman of PANDEF, Mr. Ken Robinson, said the unplanned coronation was part of the Fulani-Hausa expansionist agenda to continue to dominate other tribes in Nigeria.

Also, an Edo indigene and owner of the hotel where the coronation was to hold, Mr. Enogie Iduriase, said he will not allow his facility to be used for any unwholesome business in his area.

He said, “I am a traditional ruler as well as the son of the Oba of Benin. I will not allow any facility to be used for any unwholesome business. The Oba of Benin is superior to any other Oba. I don’t know any Sultan of Shuwa Arab”.

The spokesman for Seriki said the event had been called off indefinitely.