Oba of Benin suspends Isikhuan group for performing at Esama’s 92nd birthday gig

Traditional Royal Praise singers (Isikhuan group) at the Palace of the Oba of Benin has been suspended for performing at the residence of the Esama of Benin High Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion.

They performed at the Igbinedion home as part of activities making his 92nd birthday.

The public was first alerted with performance of the groung for High Chief via a viral video.

Palace chiefs said the action of the group breached an ancient Benin taboo at the Esama’s residence by staging a traditional performance reserved for the Oba.

The Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, also stripped leader of the Isikhuan group, Juliet Omogui, of her traditional title, Okao.

At an emergency meeting presided over by Chief Osaro Idah, the Obazelu of Benin Kingdom, Omogui admitted to the performance by his group at the Esama residence.

She was asked to return the traditional headgear (Okuku) in her custody to the palace pending further directives by the Oba.

Other Chiefs at the meeting were Chief Ada Igbinovia (Eribo N’ Ibiwe), Chief Imade Osamuyi Amos (Oshodi N’ Ibiwe), Chief Enoma Ogiesughe (Ogiesughe N’ Ewaise), and other palace chiefs.

They said the actions of the Isikhuan were the height of disrespect to the Benin monarchy.

Chief Idah wondered why Chief Igbinedion permitted the Isikhuan group to perform in his honour, despite his deep understanding of Benin’s sacred customs and tradition, which he had vowed to uphold.

This is not the first time Chief Igbinedion would be having issues with the Oba’s Palace over traditional issues. He was suspended in January 2008 for presenting royal beads to visiting King Zulu. Other Chiefs suspended alongside Igbinedion were Chief Sunny Ogbewi, Chief Eduwu Ekhator the Obasogie of Benin amongst others.

Chief Igbinedion publicly apologised to the Oba in December 2008.

He said he was inspired by the pervading spirit of change and universal peace “to tender an unreserved apology to His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba of Benin for whatever misdemeanor” he must have committed.

The letter reads, “I declare most unequivocally that my loyalty to the person of His Royal Majesty, the Palace and the Kingdom has never been in doubt and can never be and my love for every Benin person remains sacrosanct.

“I pledge to always seek the peace and progress of the Kingdom as I have always done and will never do anything that will impede its continued progress.”

He was pardoned in June 2012.