By Eben Enasco Kingsley Benin City.
The issues surrounding the Isekhure of Benin Kingdom title since 1973, has taken a new and twisted dimension over who the real occupant of the title, “Isekhure” is, following importunate claims by sectional-member of the Late Chief Eguavoen Isekhure, who was the occupant of the prestigious title until he demised during the reign of Oba Akenzua 11, the Oba of Benin
Kingdom.
Since Chief Eguavoen Isekhure reign came to an end in 1973, and subsequent enthronement in 1978, of Oba Erediauwa the title has been marred with massive challenges between members of the family over who the cap fit to wear the crown of the Isekhure’s Title as it is hereditary and should be inherited by the first son from the Isekhure according to the Bini custom.
43-year on, one would have expected that the late chief perhaps should have rested in perfect peace until they meet to part no more but never would that happen for now as other Core members of Isekhure dynasty who felt the chieftaincy title belong to them has continue to press for their mandate and are hell bent.
The Erhunmwunse Eguavoen Isekhure led divide had challenged the man they refer to as ‘Imposter’ Idubor Egbon who they alleged stole their mandate since the era of Oba Akenzua II after the demise of the occupant Chief Eguavoen Isekhure.
It was learn that Mr. Erhunmwunse the acclaimed eldest Son of Isekhure and his siblings had laid claims to the title with several petitions and relevant evidences to Oba Akenzua II to prove that he was the man the cap fit.
On noticing the potentials of their pleas and petitions, Oba Akenzua II in his wisdom constituted an investigatory committee comprising of ‘Ihogbe Nowa and Ihogbe Nore’ ably Chaired by Chief Ihama and other palace chiefs as they, according to evidences availed us claimed he (Idubor) was not a direct descendent of the late Chief Eguavoen Isekhure but an Illegitimate child and the son of Idubor Egbon who was a poor farmer in their submission to the Oba.
For several years this issue has lingered on and on as both divides of the family had made counter plea to who actually is the title owner the Isekhure of the great Benin Kingdom.
But for Chief Nosakhare Monday (Idubor) Isekhure he has enjoyed this unfinished royal battle since his alleged father Idubor, became the Isekhure until he passed on, in 1982 and perhaps left the other divide witnessed bleak future for whatsoever reasons he emerged.
In our native dialect it is suggested that when a river remains unclean, until the cause is removed from the rivers top the uncleanness will persist.
However, investigation carried out by our correspondent revealed that one Mr. Erhunmwunse Eguavoen Isekhure who was acclaimed the Eldest Surviving Son of late Chief Eguavoen Isekhure should have been crown the title Isekhure over the suspended Nosakhare Isekhure whose father Idubor Egbon claimed he was the first son to the late chief Eguavoen Isekhure.
Relatedly to the Erhunmwunse’s divides, it may have been thought it was a wish though, as the Benin Traditional Council, BTC had on January 17, 2017 announced the suspension of Chief Nosa Isekhure over what they alleged as misconduct by him and subsequently asked to vacate the oba’s shrines he presides over.
In an interview granted us in the company of his younger siblings, Mr. Peter and Ayo Isekhure, PA Erhunmwunse Eguavoen Isekhure affirmed that the deposed Chief Nosa Isekhure was sitting in a keg of gun powder ready to explode and thankfully nobody can cheat nature.
While venting further, he disclosed that the occupant was a tenant and was never the right person for the title rather himself who he said is the first son of late Chief Eguavoen Isekhure
In his words, “look, that man called Monday Nosa occupying that seat is a tenant. His father Idubor was an illegitimate child so he is an imposter. His insubordination to our monarch is not in our character. We are loyal to the Oba and will continue to be. it is time to get back what belong to us”
Similarly to the claims in a petition by the Solicitor to the family, Barr Faith Osadolor dated September 7 2016 to Prince Eheneden Erediauwa before his coronation as the Oba Ewuare the second of Benin Kingdom captioned, “Re: The Isekhure of Benin Kingdom: Title not for impostor and made available to us stated that sometime in 1973 when one Idubor Egbon claimed that he was the Son of late chief Eguavoen Isekhure, the Ihogbe Nowa and Nore Family.
It was gathered that, when an Investigatory committee was set up to look into the Birth of Idubor Egbon Eguavoen the supposed father of the dangled Nosakhare Isekhure under the chairmanship of Ihama of Benin Kingdom, which commenced on July 29 and ended October 7, 1973, whilst was revealed that he was not his child rather an ‘Aisekomumwonbo’ which was translated as illegitimate child to the late chief Eguavoen Isekhure.
According to findings carried out by the investigatory committee set up by Oba Akenzua in 1973, it was learn that Chief Eguavoen paid the dowry for the mother of Idubor whom name was revealed as ‘Iyahen’ who was as that time not yet a wife but a girl friend of Pa Egbon the alleged biological father of Idubor who couldn’t meet the marital obligations of her girl friend due to
financial stress.
By Marital Rights, if a man is yet to pay the dowry or bride price which is the marital right of a woman, the woman is only a bedmate which suggests that both parties merely exercised sexual misconduct and never a wife or a husband to such subject.
On account of this, Chief Eguavoen Isekhure legitimately became the husband of the said Egbon’s Girl friend having engaged and completed the marital status who was already pregnant before their engagement as alleged.
According to the submissions of the investigatory committee as provided by the complainant and other relevant evidences from the family, dated October 7, 1973 in the document availed us coupled with our private enquiry, Mr. Erhunmwunse Eguavoen Isekhure was declared the rightful heir to the late chief Eguavoen Isekhure according to the custom of the Bini’s
All efforts implored to get the suspended Nosakhare Isekhure on February 11, 2017 for comments on the issue through phones and subsequent visit to his house failed as he could not be reached.
Similarly, when we visited the palace of the Oba for more proof to the claims established by the Erhunmwunse’s divide a source who pleaded for anonymity confirmed that it was long due for the Erhunmwunse to take what belong to him.
The title, Isekhure of Benin Kingdom according to Benin history was created in 1255A A.D.
As the Chief Priest, the Isekhure’s residence accommodates a shrine, which bears the relics and adornments of the Bini ancestral worship.
The shrine, according to tradition provides an avenue for the Bini people to maintain spiritual authority and discipline within the kingdom.
The Isekhure performs all royal rites on behalf of the Oba, as the Oba cannot perform those royal rites.
The Oba therefore delegates this authority to the Isekhure by issuing him with a staff of office known as Urhototo, which means, the scarlet staff that no ordinary man can hold.
As a member of the Bini royalty, it is the prerogative of the Isekhure to offer prayers for the Oba of Benin and for all the Princess and Princesses of the kingdom, the chiefs and other titled holders, alongside the ordinary man who deserves the prayers of the monarch.
Since Oba does not pray for individuals, every newly installed Benin Chief is mandated to visit the Isekhure for prayers and traditional anointing.
It is the Isekhure that personally anoints the Oba of Benin, while he delegates his fellow members of the Irhuogbe Royal Family to attend to other classes of Chiefs.
There are other functions of the Isekhure that are not made public. These functions are shrouded in secrecy. The Oba’s prayer is believed to pass through the Itsekhure to the ordinary an on the street.
