The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) has strongly condemned the recent suspension of six traditional rulers in the 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 a suspension letter dated April 30, 2025, and co-signed by several prominent Benin chiefs, suspended six traditional rulers of the 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.”
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