Tension rises in Benin amid plans to turban Sultan of Shuwa Arabs in Edo State

EDO State government officials have condemned in strong terms the planned coronation of Idriss Addano as the Sultan of Shuwa Arabs in the state describing the planned move as sacrilegious and a threat to peace and security.

Shuwa Arabs in Edo State had announced that they plan to crown Prince Adanno today August 21 and tomorrow the 22nd at Rialto Hotel, Eyaen, a suburb of Benin City, the Edo State capital. Apparently, the hotel where the turbaning of the sultan from Borno State is due to take place is owned by a blue-blooded Edo prince, a duke in Benin Kingdom, Osazuwa Iduriase.

However, Osarodion Ogie, the secretary to the Edo State government, said: “The Edo State government has been inundated with complaints from indigenes and residents over the purported move to embark on the coronation of one Idriss Addano as the Sultan of Shuwa Arabs of Edo State. The Edo State government wishes to state as follows - that whether or not this event is held at the said venue, or any other location within the state, it will constitute a direct assault on the traditions, custom and culture of the people of Edo State, by individuals who clearly have sinister motives and are trying to abuse the well-known Edo hospitality by their act of sacrilege.

“It is a potential threat to the peace and security of Edo State, with the capacity to cause a breakdown of law and order as citizens of the state are likely to be provoked by the obnoxious ceremony. 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 recognised under the said law and/or without the approval of the appropriate authorities.

“The state government hereby wishes to assure all concerned that firm and decisive action will be taken to prevent the actualisation of this illegal and sacrilegious act and that all persons found to have been involved in the conception and/or execution would face the full wrath of the law. The Edo State government, therefore, calls on all citizens to be calm, law-abiding and rest assured that government is firmly on top of the situation.”

Curtis Ugbo, the president of Benin Solidarity Movement, added: “We want the security agencies to be on the trail of these individuals. We are expressing our distaste being that in Benin Kingdom, we only recognise our father, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, N’Ogidigan as our supreme monarch, so any other claimant to the royalty in the kingdom is inviting trouble.”

Imasuen Izoduwa, the coordinator-general of Great Benin Descendants, said the organisation would meet and lock up the hotel, venue of the coronation, for allowing such nonsense in the land. Duke Iduriase, the owner of the hotel to be used for the proposed  coronation has distanced himself from the event

However, one of the RSVP numbers in the invite was answered by a gentleman who identified himself as Hassan Yakubu Jidda. He said: “We have already done the coronation with Seriki Hausa, so what we are planning is the party to celebrate the coronation. The Oba of Benin is aware and the government is aware.”