By Eseosa Ewere
_...as Don Pedro petitions IGP, presses charges over attack by thugs_
Omo n'Oba n'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin, has dissociated himself and the Benin Palace from the cruel attack inflicted on one of Benin's prized possession, Don Pedro Obaseki—the barbarism occurred last Sunday at Uwa Primary School, Benin City, the Edo State capital, where Don Pedro went to play football.
The assailants who stormed the football field in commando style, armed to the teeth, claimed to have been sent by the Oba of Benin to come commandeer Don Pedro to the Palace, following "Edo gha t'kpere" proclamation by the victim at a meet-and-greet recently in London.
Don Pedro—a bastion of intelligence, history, tradition and creativity, was dragged like a common criminal along the streets of Benin into the Oba Palace, where he was further humiliated, degraded, dehumanized, beaten and stripped naked, until some Chiefs emerged from corners within the Oba Palace to take him in.
An ugly development that has sent a very notorious signal about our land—that Benin City and by extension, Edo State, is significantly unsafe for its citizens, let alone foreigners, having become a den of hooliganism, lawlessness and barbarism under the Okpebholo-led government.
The heartbreaking incident has caused high tension online and land—with many commentators calling for punishment for the assailants—a few media users has however shielded the thugs noting that the cruel act was done in protection of the Omo n'Oba.
Meanwhile, a vast majority of persons online and land has wondered why the Oba Palace will maintain such silence, noting that it suggests complicity, when the Palace does not dissociate itself from, and condemn the gangsterism.
This afternoon's press release from the Palace, marks a sharp deviation from the popular opinion that the Oba of Benin sent thugs to attack the Honourable Don Pedro—the Benins, Edo people and other persons at home and abroad following the matter, has commended the Omo n'Oba, for dissociating himself and the revered Benin Palace from the hooliganism, giving Don Pedro a full ground to seek justice.
Meanwhile, Don Pedro had complained bitterly over the silence of the Oba Palace on his ordeal—many have said the international movie producer and Benin patriot, will now feel some sigh of relief following Omo n'Oba's dissociation from the cruelty of those thugs.
"The Benin Traditional Council wish to advice our youths not to take the laws into their hands on any issue no matter the degree of provocation", Omo n'Oba noted.
That the "BTC wish to use this medium to inform the general public that the unfortunate incidence in which Pedro Obaseki was manhandled was not authorized by the Oba of Benin", the Council added.
Consequently, lovers of justice, good-spirited Edos, critical stakeholders of the Benin nation, Benin socio-cultural groups, family of Don Pedro Obaseki at home and abroad, have declared full support for Pedro Obaseki in his quest for justice, particularly considering his petition already gaining traction by the Inspector General of Police.
Aluta Continua, Victoria Acerta.
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