Oba Of Benin: A Role Model For Traditional Leaders In Peacemaking -By Isaac Asabor

There is no denying the fact that maintaining peace is among the main roles played by traditional rulers in many African societies, and in this context, Nigeria. Their influence goes a long way in resolving disputes between family members, within and among communities, and occasionally across state lines.

But as the nature of conflict changes, their ability to lead effectively is threatened, particularly in a convoluted political situation as been witnessed in Edo State ahead of the September 19, gubernatorial election in the State.

Against the foregoing backdrop, there is no denying the fact that the subliminal political bickering between the incumbent governor of the State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, who is the gubernatorial flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the gubernatorial flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and their supporters has been a threat to the somewhat erstwhile peaceful milieu in the state. The foregoing views cannot be pooh-poohed when considered from the perspective of the fact that several persons were, in the month of July, 2020, injured as supporters of the two main political parties, clashed near the palace of the Oba of Benin when PDP governors, led by the Chairman of the PDP Campaign Council, Governor Nyesom Wike, who were in the state to flag off the campaign of its candidate, Governor Godwin Obaseki, visited the Oba of Benin. To many Edolites, the incident was a sacrilege as not few traditionalists were of the view that the palace has not at any time in the history of Benin Kingdom being subjected to any form of desecration as experienced on that day.

Without any iota of exaggeration, the ongoing political situation in the State is no doubt becoming worrisome to all Edolities; both at home and in diaspora. This is as supporters from the two major political parties are unarguably becoming irreverent and saucy, particularly on social media platforms. The situation, no doubt, has begun to engender foreboding fear. The foregoing view can be buttressed with a pre-election survey conducted by Yiaga Africa and NOIPolls which shows that voters are worried about electoral violence, intimidation and the credibility of the poll ahead of the gubernatorial election that will be conducted in the next few weeks.

The report lists potential hot spots of violence where the electoral battles are expected to be fierce. They include Etsako West, Etsako East, Etsako Central, Owan West and Akoko-Edo in Edo North Senatorial district. Also listed as hot spots are Edo South, Oredo, Orhionmwon, Egor, Ovia North East, and Ikpoba-Okha LGAs. Others are Edo Central Senatorial district, Esan Central, Esan North East and Esan West which are listed as potential hot spots. The foregoing is the acme of reports and fears that are been expressed in respect to the upcoming election in the State.

Bringing the foregoing inanities into contextual perspective, little wonder a lot of Nigerians, particularly Edolites have been gratefully excited that His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin on Wednesday, September 2, 2020, specifically invited the candidates of the PDP and APC, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu respectively, and their deputies, as well as top leaders of both parties in the bid to ensure that they campaign ahead of the election in a peaceful manner as it is very obvious that if such move is not made they may literarily set the state on fire.

There is no denying the fact that similar move was recently made by traditional rulers in the State when the campaign of the APC and its candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu hit Akoko-Edo local government area of the state where the traditional rulers in the area called on all the candidates and their political parties to ensure peace and no violence throughout the period of their campaigns, during and after the election.

In his remarks, the Otaru of Igarra, HRH Oba Adeche Saiki II, said Edo state has been peaceful and that the political class should ensure that the state remained peaceful just as he said he wished the candidate of the party his heart desires. “As you go from here, you should drum it on our youths and party faithful to shun violence and thuggery. We should all ensure peace. Speaking on behalf of all traditional rulers in the local government area, chairman of Akoko-Edo Traditional Council (ATC), the Odafe of Enwan Oba P.A.Okara said Ize-Iyamu is like a young man who has washed his hands clean and could eat with elders. In his remarks, Ize-Iyamu said: “When I was Chief of Staff, I discovered that traditional rulers from Akoko-Edo are always interested in the development of their areas and not personal requests. I promised to continue that development. My SIMPLE agenda is a covenant with the people of Edo State.”

To my personal view, the need to ensure that the upcoming election is peaceful is a collective duty of all Edolites and non-negotiable, and there should not be any reason for the duty to be neglected. The purpose for the foregoing view cannot be farfetched as there is an African proverb that says that “The tortoise decided to be moving about with his roof (his shell) for it not to be destroyed by the enemies. Interpreted from the foregoing context, the tortoise shell is our own Edo State, and it should not be politicized and destroyed.

Again, the main thrust of the Oba of Benin advice is not quite different from the foregoing as he noted that elections were not a do-or-die affair. He said the politicians must note that they have only Edo State to call their own and, thus, must do everything to protect it from disintegration.

Permit me to say that the concern of all Edolites at the moment; before and after September 19, should be how to heed to advices from our traditional rulers and other actors involved in the peacemaking efforts arising from the ongoing electioneering campaign so that the political milieu in the State will remain nonviolent, and serve as a reference point to other States in the country, particularly Ondo State that would be next to hold gubernatorial election. More so, it is incumbent on all Edolites to ensure that our traditional rulers are not disappointed as the African proverb that says “A young man who does not know the boundaries of his family land trespasses into that of their neighbours” shall not in any way find expression in the lives of Edolites; both at home and in the diaspora. To me, Edolites, particularly party supporters should be very careful with what they say and do in the ongoing electioneering campaign in the State. Also, key players in the electioneering should be wary of acts that are capable of creating tragic situation, during and after the election.

It is injudicious for us to have the erroneous thinking that the emergence of alternative conflict resolution and local government structures has gradually diminished the roles and authority of traditional leaders in the State. Never! Traditional leaders are very relevant in peacemaking.

We should always have it at the back of our minds that traditional leadership systems that empower our traditional rulers originates in pre-colonial times and vary from one society to another; some traditional leaders trace their roots directly to God, some serve as proxies for infant kings, and some are queens who have proven to be just as effective as male leaders.

It is expedient to say that what traditional rulers share is being representative of the people they lead and taking into account all needs within their communities. To my view, there is need to pay heed to all advices coming from our traditional leaders. To this end, permit me to opine that the Oba of Benin remains a role model for traditional leaders in peacemaking.

‘Oba ghato kpere ise!’