By Osahon Osahon
Ahead of the purported Coronation of one Idris Adanno as Sultan of Shuwa Arab of Edo State, the owner of the event center to be used for the event has disown both the event and its organizers.
Shuwa is a tribe domiciled in Borno Emirate. Their people are however found across the length and breadth of the country.
Invitation card to the purported coronation was first sighted on Facebook.
According to the invitation, the event was to hold on Saturday, 21st August, 2021, at Rialto Hotel, located in Eyaen, a suburb community of Benin City.
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The planned coronation has generated tension among prominent Benin citizens, who reason that there could not be two kings in Benin Kingdom.
Moreso, Rialto Hotel is owned by a Duke of Benin Kingdom, HRH Osazuwa Iduriase.
The traditional ruler, in a statement of reaction he personally signed on Thursday, denied fore knowledge of the event.
Read the full text of his statement:
“The attention of His Royal Highness Dr. Osazuwa Aiwerioghene Iduriase JP, Enigie of Eyaen and Chief Execitive of Rialto Hotel has been drawn to a coronation invitation of Sultan Idriss Addano as the Sultan of Shuwa Arab of Edo State which has been schechtled to hold at Rialto Hotel Eyaen between Aagpust 21st and 22nd 2021.
“The Enogie of Eyaen used this medium to dicsociate himself and Rialto Hotel from the said coronation ceremony, stating that the publication of the use of Rialto Hotel for that event is malicious and was done in bad faith.
“According to His Royal Highness Dr. Osazuwa Aiwerioghene Iduriase JP, the people in question approached him that they want to use Rialto Hotel for a party, and later turned it to a coronation ceremony of Sultan of Shuwa Arab of Edo State without his consent.
“Enogie Osazuwa Iduriase said as a traditional ruler and custodian of the culture and tradition of Benin peopie, he is very much aware of the implication of such coronaton ceremony in Benin Kingdom and that he will never be part of it directly or indirectly.
“Furthermore, the Enogie of Eyaen states that he is aware that there can never be two kings in Benin Kingdom in whatever guise and that the Benin Kingdom recognises the existence of only one Sultan in Nigeria which is the Sultan of Sokoto.
“Dr. Idriase however warned those planning to use Rialto Hotel for such coronatrcon ceremony to desist mmediately, adding that his ivestigations revealed that the said group have not made any financial commitment to Rialto Hotel for the said event, but wert ahead to publicise in the media, a situation that the Enogie described as a calculated attempt to bring his name and of Rialto Hotel to public ridicule and disrepute.”
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Meanwhile, Edo State Government has condemned, in strong terms, the planned coronation of Idriss Addano as the ‘Sultan of Shuwa Arab of Edo State’, describing the purported move as sacrilegious and a threat to peace and security in the state.
The Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, Esq., in a statement, assured that firm and decisive action will be taken to prevent the actualization of the “illegal and sacrilegious act.”
The statement reads: “The Edo State Government has been inundated with complaints from indigenes and residents of the state over the purported move to embark on the coronation of one Idriss Addano as ‘Sultan of Shuwa Arab of Edo State’.
“The Edo State Government wishes to state as follows: That whether or not this event is held at the said, or any other location within the state, it would constitute a direct assault on the traditions, custom and culture of the people of Edo State, by individuals who clearly have sinister motives and are trying to abuse the well-known Edo hospitality by their act of sacrilege.
“That it is a potential threat to the peace and security of Edo State, with the capacity to cause a breakdown of law and order as citizens of the state are likely to be provoked by the obnoxious ceremony.
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“Under the Edo State Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law, it is an offence for anyone to proclaim himself, or allow himself to be proclaimed as the holder of any traditional title not recognized under the said law and/or without the approval of the appropriate authorities.”
According to Ogie, “The state government hereby wishes to assure all concerned that firm and decisive action will be taken to prevent the actualization of this illegal and sacrilegious act and that all persons found to have been involved in the conception and/or execution would face the full wrath of the law.”
“The Edo State Government, therefore, calls on all citizens to be calm, law-abiding and rest assured that government is firmly on top of the situation,” he assured.
