Members of the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Edo State Chapter has unanimously kicked against the evil plot to install a Sultan by the name Idriss Addano, a Shuawa Arab from Borno in the state.
The above position which was made available to PMParrot on Saturday through a Press Release by the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Edo State, Bishop Oriname Oyonnude Kure berated and condemned the plan to install Idriss Addano through a scheduled Coronation Ceremony as the Sultan Shuawa Arab of Edo State under the guise of coordinating the activities of Borno State indigenes living in Edo State.
According to the press release, the Edo State CAN Chairman, Bishop Oriname Oyonnude Kure stated that “the attention of the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN), Edo State, has been drawn to the purported plan by a certain Arab tribe from Borno State in the North Eastern part of Nigeria, known as Shuwa Arab to install a Sultan in the great Benin Kingdom of Edo State”.
Bishop Kure maintained that such an attempt is a provocative assault on the Traditional Institution in Edo State.
Kure pointed out that “the act is totally against the peaceful atmosphere of Edo Land and therefore, not acceptable as it is capable of igniting serious fracas in Edo State.
“The Christian Association of Nigeria-CAN, Edo State condemns it totally in its entirety. It should be shelved and never again should it be contemplated”
Kure revealed further that “Benin Kingdom has only one King with the title of OBA that dates back to the OGISO ERA well over a thousand years ago. This so called Shuwa Arab have no cultural, traditional and consanguinal affinity with Edo people and therefore, has no part in the traditional institutions of Edo State and her people”.
He urged the organisers of such abnormal event not to take Edo people’s friendly disposition in accommodating strangers for granted.
Bishop Kure also pointed out that “such as attempt is part of the subterranean grand design to Islamize Edo State in particular and Nigeria in general. He condemned the sacrilegious act and advised that it must not be allowed to fester in Edo State under any guise as it could cause very serious unrest as it challenges the traditional institutions and values of Edo people”.
Speaking further, Bishop Kure said “the step only amounts to duplicity of the Traditional Leadership in Benin Kingdom and it will surely work against the peaceful coexistence of the people. Those behind it must be arrested and questioned while their activities in the State must be put under ceaseless vigilance”.
Meanwhile, Bishop Kure commended the Edo State Government for its proactive response on the matter and urged the Government not to rest on its oars until such a devilish attempt is thrashed out.
“If anyone chooses to reside in Benin Kingdom, he or she has to be subject to the Chiefs and Oba in the Kingdom. How possible is it for Benin Kingdom to coronate an Oba in Borno for Benin people living there? We totally condemn and reject the idea of the coronation and commend the government for its prompt action”, he concluded.
Packaged by Emmanuel Adeniran
