The House of Representatives yesterday resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to interface with the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and other security agencies to avert a possible breakdown of law and order in Edo State.

The House mandated its ad hoc committee to interact with the state government and the Benin Traditional Council to resolve the conflict that arose from the government’s plan to create more traditional institutions from the Benin Kingdom.

The Green Chamber’s concern followed a motion of urgent public importance on the need to avert a likely breach of the peace in the state as a result of the state government’s plan.

The motion was sponsored by Dennis Idahosa, Billy F. Osawaru, Murphy Omoruyi and Esosa Iyawe.

The four lawmakers represent the seven local government areas that make up Edo South Senatorial District covering Benin Kingdom.

Presenting the motion before the House, Idahosa reminded his colleagues that the Benin Kingdom has a history that dates back to several millennia with the Oba of Benin as the only titular traditional ruler of the kingdom.

The lawmaker said due to colonialism and subsequent creation of local government areas, the Benin Kingdom was encapsulated in the seven local government areas, namely Oredo, Egor, Ikpoba-Okha, Uhunmwonde, Orhionmwon, Ovia South West and Ovia North East.

According to him, despite the creation of seven local government areas in Edo South, the Oba of Benin remains the sole traditional ruler in the Edo South Senatorial District.

He also said the Oba of Benin – with the support of the chiefs he appointed – exercises his customary supremacy over Benin Kingdom through the Benin Traditional Council, the only competent traditional authority in Edo South Senatorial District.

Idahosa expressed concern that without any cause, the state government announced its intention to institute a “new regime” by creating new traditional councils in the seven local government areas with chiefs appointed by the Oba constituted into the proposed traditional councils.

The lawmaker said such a plan amounted to constituting parallel customary authorities to compete with the Oba of Benin in influence over Benin Kingdom, thereby balkanising the age-long kingdom.

He said the plan was a provocative and an unconscionable infiltration into the revered ancient traditional structure of the Benin Kingdom.

Idahosa expressed concern that the development was generating distress and tension in Edo South Senatorial District with the possibilities of degenerating into a violent breakdown of law and order in the district. (The Nation)

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