Group Slams Chief Osaro Idah for Bringing Disrepute to Benin Palace…Undermining Benin Palace Traditions

By Reporter

A Socio Cultural Group, the Aiguobasinmwin Movement, a non political group promoting the Benin cultural traditionals has accused Chief Osaro Idah of persistently acting in ways that bring disrepute to the revered Benin Palace and manipulating decisions of Palace committees for personal and political gain.

The group in a statement signed by Iyamu Osaro, Culture, President and Osayuki-Osa Benson, Secretary General of the Movement expressed deep concern over Chief Idah’s handling of responsibilities assigned to him.

The movement alleged that Chief Idah frequently misrepresents directives from His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, to justify actions that serve his own interests and those of his allies.

According to the statement, Chief Idah often invokes the authority of the Oba without basis, thereby misleading the public and undermining the sacred authority of the monarch.

The Movement also claimed that Chief Idah’s conduct has been a major source of community unrest in Edo South, accusing him of high-handedness and a personal appetite for power and influence.

It referenced recent crisis following the suspension of certain Enigie (hereditary chiefs) by Oba Ewuare II, noting that Chief Idah has allegedly been working with individuals loyal to these suspended chiefs to install Odionwere (village heads) against traditional norms.

One such case cited was the situation in Ugoneki, where the Movement stated that Chief Idah suppressed the voices of local elders during a palace proceeding and went on to confirm Albert Ibizugbe as Odionwere on 28 May 2025.

The movement alleged that this appointment was made under the influence of a suspended Enogie and runs contrary to the pronouncements of the Benin Palace, which, by custom, vests such authority in the most senior member of the community, a role the movement asserts rightfully belongs to Pa Aghatise Aibangbe.

The statement also alluded to other instances, including interventions in communities like Umoghun N’ Zuagbor, where the group claims to have acted in defiance of palace directives.

It further alleged that certain unnamed chiefs are colluding with suspended Enigie to erode the palace’s authority and public image and therefore called on His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, to relieve Chief Osaro Idah of all committee responsibilities and constitute a new body to fairly investigate the Odionwere dispute in Ugoneki.

In a related statement, the group insisted that, “…Osaro Idah is the Enemy inside Palace that Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolo Kpolo, Oba Ewuare II CFR Oba of Benin must immediately chase out in order to bring sanity to our various communities.”

As at press time, Chief Idaho could not be reached for comment.

However, MMidwest Herald gathered that the grievances of the group may have been settled. According to a post on the Facebook of its president, AM wrote: “Over one hour ago, we had a royal interface with our God’s King, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolo Kpolo Oba Ewuare II, CFR, Oba of Benin Empire over the matter involving Chief Osaro Idah, Ugoneki Community and other related issues. Joyfully, our God’sKing has intervened. Infact, justice was served.”