The Benin Solidarity Movement (BSM), has solicited the intervention of the Oba of Benin, HRM, Oba Ewuare II to avert the crisis brewing in Ologbo Community over the alleged dissolution of Ologbo Community Relations Committee (CRC) set up by the Enogie (Duke) of Ologbo Dukedom, HRH. Jason Akenzua.

The group accused some lawmakers in the Edo State House of Assembly of attempting to usurp the traditional role and powers of the Enogie of Ologbo Dukedom following the illegal dissolution of the CRC.

Speaking during a peaceful protest on Saturday at the Palace of the Oba of Benin, hundreds of youth from Ologbo Community who brandished various placards appealed to the Benin monarch to intervene and called the lawmakers to order.

In their protest letter signed by the President of BSM, Elder Curtis Ugbo and the Secretary-General, Ms Esohe Adun said they were joining the people of Ologbo to protest the attempt by the lawmakers to usurp the powers of the Enogie of Ologbo.

“We are here at Your Majesty’s Palace to inform you of the undue negative influence of some politicians wanting to use the instrumentality of the Legislative Arm of Edo State Government (specifically the Edo State House of Assembly) against the Enogie (Duke) of Ologbo Dukedom in particular and Benin Traditional Council (BTC) Law in general,” the group said.

“We are joining the Ologbo people in protesting to Your Majesty as the only Traditionally Constituted Authority, Sole Custodian and the Overlord of all Communities in the Kingdom (Edo South Senatorial District of Edo State; And we are aware that the Edo State House of Assembly do not have such rights to constitute Community Relations Committee (CRC) in any Community in the Kingdom without the approval of the Enogie of the Dukedom as Yours Majesty’s Representative.”

While stating that there are some Benin Chiefs aiding the plot to hijack the powers of the Enogie of Ologbo Dukedom, the BSM appealed to Oba Ewuare II to call the Chiefs to order to prevent break down of law and order in Ologbo Dukedom.

Speaking on behalf of the Ologbo Community while handing over their letter of protest to Chief Uyi Okungbowa who represented the Benin Monarch, the Secretary, HRH Owenvbiugie Akenzua appealed to the Oba of Benin to intervene.

He said, “We your subjects from Ologbo Community are here to formally report to Your Royal Majesty of the dissolution of the Community Relations Committee duly constituted by your appointee, the Enogie of Ologbo and the Council of Elders of Ologbo Community.

He noted that the lawmakers who moved for the dissolution of the CRC do not hail from Ologbo and need the consent of the Enogie and the Council of Elders of Ologbo Community to carry out the illegal dissolution.

“We are here to formally report the illegal activities by these lawmakers and to appeal for your Royal Majesty’s intervention.

“The Enogie of Ologbo, who is the representative of the Oba of Benin, recognises the Kolokolo Community Executive, and that means the Oba of Benin recognises the executive. We are calling on our Royal Father, the Oba of Benin, to intervene.”

Receiving the protest letter from the representative of BSM and members of the Ologbo Community, a representative of the Benin Monarch, Chief Uyi Okungbowa, assured that their messages will be related to the monarch.