NewStats: 3,261,660 , 8,174,675 topics. Date: Friday, 30 May 2025 at 12:45 AM 6b201h

The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) has strongly condemned the recent suspension of six traditional rulers in Igbanke clan in Edo State by the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, describing the move as an “unwarranted interference” in the affairs of an indigenous Igbo community.

In a statement signed by its Secretary General, Ifeanyichukwu Nweke, and National Publicity Secretary, Ukpabi Michael Authority, the OYC accused Oba Ewuare II and the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) of attempting to impose a Benin identity on the Igbanke people of the State, despite their longstanding Igbo heritage.

According to the group, the Oba in suspension letter, dated April 30, 2025, and co-signed by several prominent Benin chiefs, suspended six traditional rulers of Igbanke Clan following the community’s reaffirmation of its Igbo identity.

The Okiko Uwa Sociocultural Group had on April 23 declared that Igbanke is an “original Igbo tribe” with no ancestral ties to Benin, a position the OYC says reflects historical reality.

“It is astonishing that Oba Ewuare II, disregarding historical context, would move against the traditional rulers of Igbanke simply for asserting their true heritage,” the statement read.

“We categorically condemn this provocative action and advise the Oba to desist from interfering in the cultural and traditional affairs of the Igbanke people.”

The OYC, under the leadership of its National President General, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, announced that it is expanding its unification efforts beyond the Southeast to include Igbo communities in the South-South and North Central regions, notably Kogi and Benue states.

The council pointed to the recent election of Comrade Azuka Oka Etumudon, an Igbanke indigene, as National Organizing Secretary of the OYC during its February 8 national convention in Owerri, Imo State, as a “historic landmark” for Igbo unity.

“For the first time, an Igbanke son has been elected into the leadership of Ohanaeze, affirming their rightful place within the Igbo family,” the council noted.

OYC leaders further urged the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, led by President General Senator Azuta John Mbata, to amend its constitution to formally include Igbo communities in Edo, Bayelsa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Kogi, and Benue states.

Highlighting linguistic, cultural, and geographical factors, the council asserted that Igbanke shares no cultural affinity with Benin communities.

“Igbanke people speak the Ika dialect, surrounded by other Ika-speaking communities, while Benin people neither speak nor understand Ika,” the OYC stated, citing traditional titles such as Eze, Obi, Ogele, Okpara-Uku, Ndi-Ichie, and Ndi-Nze as evidence of the community’s Igbo heritage.

The OYC called on Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to intervene and “warn the Oba of Benin against attempts to distort the historical origins of Igbanke through lies and conspiracy.”

The council reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the cultural integrity of all Igbo communities, vowing to resist any external attempts at assimilation or historical revisionism.

“The Igbanke people know who they are,” the statement stressed. “No amount of political or traditional intimidation will erase their identity.”

https://saharareporters.com/2025/05/01/ohanaeze-council-slams-oba-benin-over-suspension-six-igbanke-monarchs-plot-annex-igbo

Nonsense, Igbo youths should stop fighting their most probable allies

Ohaneze the noisemakers. Always seeking attention

SadiqBabaSani:
Nonsense, Igbo youths should stop fighting their most probable allies

The youth are right.
You don't expect them to ignore the cry of their fellow Igbo brothers carved into Edo state.

This is why people who speak the same language should not be subdivided into different states with those who have a completely different language

During the creation of Edo State in the 90's, the Igbanke people were carved into Edo State when they should have been left in Delta State with their fellow Ika's

This has now caused a situation where the Oba of Bini feels these people are his subjects when they are not.

Most unfortunate.

Edo state is the closest South east ally. The OYC or whatever they called themselves should apply wisdom in solving this issue diplomatically.
Meanwhile igbanke know their root, no two ways about it. It's just something to put heads together and solve and not these Media bruhaha

gidgiddy:
This is why people who speak the same language should not be subdivided into different states with those who have a completely different language

During the creation of Edo State in the 90's, the Igbanke people were carved into Edo State when they should have been left in Delta State with their fellow Ika's

This has now caused a situation where the Oba of Bini feels these people are his subjects when they are not.

Most unfortunate.

Azikiwe insisted that the Yoruba speaking Kwara belonged to the North and mustn't
be part of the west and he was so adamant he completely rejected all reasonable arguments on the matter so considering that this your argument get k-leg

Edo no be Ragos

The Igbo land grabbing agenda seems to be falling before our eyes.

I pity Igbanke Pple Sha.

I don't know how Babangida could NOT make them be part of the Ikas in Delta state.

You will see somebody bearing Ngozi and she tells you she is from Edo state.

Oba of Benin have to threat with caution and not to allow himself be used politically.

Igbanke is under a seperate tribe on it's own and not under his kingdom.

If he shows his strength to Igbanke because he sees them as minority then he is making mistake because if they team up with Ika sub tribe, i doubt if Benin are more than Anioma alone.

When we talk about Anioma, Onitsha in Anambra with Ogbaru, Oguta in Imo and Ndoni in Rivers are among. Benin are not more than Eze Chima clan if we are to settle the matter by gra gra

I respect Edo people as a whole, they are good people. But this Benin throne supremacy mentality in this centuary makes no sense. If we are allowed to fight and take over territory by conquest, he stand no chance. I wonder what is giving him pride.

Our family from igbanke should take heart. It's not easy being an igbo man in this country. If they had known they would have kept quiet or even denied us like our ikwerre peeps are regularly forced to do

The colonialist did theirs, dividing brothers along different countries to weaken them, then the military wanting to deal with the Igbos, borrowed the template.

This absurdity left us with Igbos in Rivers, Delta, Edo, Kogi and Benue states just like Yorubas in Benin, Togo etc.

We must reconcile all natives to their homelands.

Imagine Urhobos in Bayelsa state as Ofonis.

Yes, the deputy governor of Bayelsa state is from Urhobo land.

Igbanke should remain AUTONOMOUS & completely reintegrate to OHANEZE, & send representatives to the Next World Igbo Congress/Conference (WIC) in The USA!

Much ado about nothing. Igbanke said they are igbos, they do not need the oba of beni to appoint them to rule themselves. The oba did the right thing. Let the igbanke have their own Eze and rule themselves

Hmmmm

It not easy fighting for recognition by force oooo.

Them go soon fight benue king also.

gidgiddy:
This is why people who speak the same language should not be subdivided into different states with those who have a completely different language

During the creation of Edo State in the 90's, the Igbanke people were carved into Edo State when they should have been left in Delta State with their fellow Ika's

This has now caused a situation where the Oba of Bini feels these people are his subjects when they are not.

Most unfortunate.

There is an Urhobo Community in Bayelsa state called Ofoni.

Same issues.

Though in their case, It was very hard to make them be part of Delta state bcus they are situated across the Bomadi River.

muhammaduyusufu:

The youth are right.
You don't expect them to ignore the cry of their fellow Igbo brothers carved into Edo state.

they should pack their load and leave then

Goodvibes007:


https://saharareporters.com/2025/05/01/ohanaeze-council-slams-oba-benin-over-suspension-six-igbanke-monarchs-plot-annex-igbo

Igbanke is part of Edo land, anybody that feels he or she is an Igbo should leave Edo land.

These charlatans again. Granted that our Igbanke brothers deserve our but not by a gang of idle jobbers.

Due to cultural proximity between Edo and Igbo, it would have been cool if they resolve this amicably without going public.

Mabuggi88:
Edo state is the closest South east ally. The OYC or whatever they called themselves should apply wisdom in solving this issue diplomatically.
Meanwhile igbanke know their root, no two ways about it. It's just something to put heads together and solve and not these Media bruhaha

We don't need Edo as ally. They are more like Yoruba people. They share same ancestry with Yoruba. We can't abandon our people to please oba. He should rule over his people and let Igbanke people breathe!

SadiqBabaSani:
Nonsense, Igbo youths should stop fighting their most probable allies

How are they fighting their allies? Telling the Oba that he is over reaching his bounds is that what you call fighting? Na wah for una ooooo

JibrinAm:
Ohaneze the noisemakers. Always seeking attention

It is not attention seeking, it is fact.

Pharaoh Let My People Go!
The spirit of the Igbo is not subjective!
You cannot put an Igbo man under your feet, even the ones that say they are not Igbo just look at how they behave like their kindred in the East, you can always tell the difference between them and other Nigerians.
Before your forebears Igbo was here!

Rare picture of the Igbanke monarchs with little crowns on their heads

Suspended as his subjects or chiefs?

There can be two kings in a kingdom .

Christistruth02:


The whole world kuku knows that Igbo have no kings and almost all the few ones you have came from Benin

Oga stop commenting on things you don't know. These are indigenous igbo communities, this doesn't concern you please just be silent

Nawa ooo
Oba should stop forcing those who are not Benin to his kingdom.
They say they're Igbos, why forcing them to adopt Beni while they're not.