Aiguobasinmwin Movement Accuses Chief Osaro Idah of Undermining Benin Palace Traditions
By Simeon OSAJIE
The Aiguobasinmwin Movement, a socio-cultural, non-political group 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 Mr. Iyamu Osaro, Culture and Mr Osayuki-Osa Benson, President and Secretary General Respectively 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 Mr. 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.
As at the time of filing in this report, Chief Osaro Idaho could not be reached for comment.
