By Mick Oseji, Asaba
The Igbanke General Union Worldwide, the apex sociocultural body representing the Igbanke people at home and in the diaspora, has debunked a recent publications on social media claiming ancestral ties between Igbanke and communities in Anambra State.
A statement jointly signed by its President General, Dr. Usiagwu Arthur Osaretin and Secretary General, Mr. Celestine Osadolor Uwayah, the Union dismissed the account as false, unauthorized, and an insult to the rich heritage of the Igbanke people.
The Union clarified that Igbanke is a homogeneous community located in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State and speaks a distinct dialect of the Ika language, reaffirming that the kings (Enigie) in Igbanke ascended their thrones through primogeniture, a traditional hereditary system, and were not appointed by external authorities.
This response followed the discontent in the Igbanke community trailing the suspension of some Enigie in Edo South Senatorial District by the Oba of Benin. The Union expressed that while communities were affected, the development had triggered furore and dissatisfaction among Igbanke indigenes both at home and in the diaspora.
“Some groups have unfortunately taken advantage of the current situation to push narratives that are not only inaccurate but are also at variance with the collective identity and history of Igbanke,” the statement read.
The Union categorically distanced itself from the June 3, 2025 social media reports linking Igbanke’s origin to any community in Anambra State. It noted that those behind the publications acted without the mandate of the Igbanke people and called on the public to disregard such claims entirely.
“Igbanke people know their history and do not need any misguided individual or group seeking undue relevance to tell us our origin,” the Union stated.
It warned that legal action may be taken against those peddling such falsehoods if they did not desist.
The Igbanke General Union Worldwide reiterated its commitment to protecting the cultural integrity, unity, and identity of the Igbanke community and urged all residents and indigenes to remain calm, united, and focused on preserving their heritage.
The Daily Crucible report that the Oba of Benin had in March this year suspended 67 Enigie, including Engie of 4 Igbanke communities – Oligie, Ottah, Omolua and Idumuodin, over alleged anti-palace, rebellious activities.
The 67 Enigie in Benin Kingdom were accused of anti-palace and rebellious activities against the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, CFR.
Their suspension at the time was contained in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council, Festus Alenkhe, and signed by the Secretary of the Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor.
“I am directed to inform you that some Enigie in Benin Kingdom have been suspended by His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, CFR, Oba of Benin, as a result of their anti-palace and rebellious activities against the Oba of Benin and the traditional institution,” the letter stated.
The affected enigie are:
1. Chief D. E. Igiehon – Enogie of Ehor (Uhunmwode)
2. Prince Osaretin Akenzua – Enogie of Okodighi (Ovia North-East)
3. Chief Ibie Okhionkpaimwonyi – Enogie of Iguogbe (Ovia N/E)
4. Chief Ogieriakhi Iguodeyala Friday – Enogie of Uroho (Ikpoba-Okha)
5. Chief Airomwanbo Ogieayevbona – Enogie of Utoka (Ovia N/E)
6. Chief Ewemade Uhimwen – Enogie of Ekae (Oredo)
7. Chief Orobosa R. Agbongiazowe – Enogie of Isievbee (Uhunmwode)
8. Chief Obarogie Lucky – Enogie of Umelu (Ikpoba-Okha)
9. Chief Sunday E. Omoregie – Enogie of Ulegun (Ikpoba-Okha)
10. Chief Odolagbon Erese – Enogie of Amagba-Adolor (Oredo)
11. Chief Evans Omobogie – Enogie of Obozogbe N’Ugu (Orhionmwon)
12. Chief Erhauyi Eguagie – Enogie of Evbowe (Uhunmwode)
13. Chief Ewaensefe lyi-Eweka – Enogie of Oghada (Uhunmwode)
14. Chief Nosakhare Ohenzuwa – Enogie of Orior-Osemwende (Uhunmwode)
15. Chief Ereyi Aduwa Ogiegbaen – Enogie of Egbaen/Ogbeson (Ikpoba-Okha)
16. Chief P. A. Omoregbe – Enogie of Egba (Uhunmwode)
17. Chief Joseph A. Airehenbuwa – Enogie of Obadan (Uhunmwode)
18. Chief Tony Aigbehomwan – Enogie of Egor (Egor)
19. Chief Samson Osemwengie – Enogie of Igbekhue (Orhionmwon)
20. Chief Kelly N. Udobor – Enogie of Ugolo (Ovia South-West)
21. Chief Agidigbi Idahosa – Enogie of Utese (Ovia N/E)
22. Chief Enabulele Osaze Obanosa – Enogie of Evbolekpen (Ovia N/E)
23. Chief Godwin Igbinosun – Enogie of Uzalla (Uhunmwode)
24. Chief Evbayiro Festus Osayemwenre – Enogie of Avbiama (Ikpoba-Okha)
25. Chief Emwinmadomwan Igbinenikao – Enogie of Amagba-Akengbuda (Oredo)
26. Chief Johnson Edosomwan – Enogie of Okha-Azagba (Ovia S/W)
27. Chief Stephen Ohangbon – Enogie of Evbomoma (Ikpoba-Okha)
28. Chief Aiwansoba Eghosa Kelly – Enogie of Evbovbiuke (Oredo)
29. Chief Dr. Julius Chukwuyen Isitor – Enogie of Ottah-igbanke (Orhionmwon)
30. Chief Ogiesoba Igbinovia – Enogie of Uwusan (Ikpoba-Okha)
31. Chief Kingsley Ogiesoba – Enogie of Umoguohen (Ikpoba-Okha)
32. Chief Omokaro Nogieru – Enogie of Iguoghor (Ovia N/E)
33. Chief Clifford Edomwonyi – Enogie of Erua (Uhunmwode)
34. Prince Owen Jackson Akenzua – Enogie of Ologbo (Ikpoba-Okha)
35. Chief Eholor Henry – Enogie of Igieduma (Uhunmwode)
36. Chief Festus Uwaifiokun Ugbo – Enogie of Ugha (Uhunmwode)
37. Chief Lucky Osunde III – Enogie of Oligie Igbanke (Orhionmwon)
38. Chief Osagumwenro Eki-Eresoyen – Enogie of Uhogua (Ovia N/E)
39. Chief Imuentiyan Omoragbon – Enogie of Idumwunugbo (Orhionmwon)
40. Chief Kingsley Igbinosa lyayomwangbe – Enogie of Umoghun Zuagbor (Orhionmwon)
41. Chief Edward Obamojie – Enogie of Ugiamwen (Uhunmwode)
42. Chief Owenaze Idemudia – Enogie of Ewan (Uhunmwode)
43. Chief Matthew A. Ogieriakhi – Enogie of Uvbe-Nisi (Uhunmwode)
44. Chief Richard Osaigbovo Ogunbor – Enogie of Ukhiri-Eresoyen (Ikpoba-Okha)
45. Chief Aimuanmwonsa Enadiakhe – Enogieof Ilobi (Uhunmwode)
46. Chief Okunbor Jesurobo Osawaru – Enogie of Uvbe-Egbede (Uhunmwode)
47. Chief Victor Etinosa Ogiugo – Enogie of Ugo N’lyekikpoba (Uhunmwode)
48. Chief Imagbenikao Ekhosuehi – Enogie of Oka-Izevbihen (Ikpoba-Okha)
49. Chief Osayande Aigbe – Enogie of Ukhiri-Osemwende (Ikpoba-Okha)
50. Chief Edugie Ogieriakhi Ogiugo – Enogie of Ugo N’lyekorhionmwon (Orhionmwon)
51. Chief Kingsley O. Omorose – Enogie of Ohoghobi (Ikpoba-Okha)
52. Chief Irobun Ikponmwosa – Enogie of Iguemokhua (Orhionmwon)
53. Chief M. U. Ogbonmwan – Enogie of Ogheghe Osemwende (Ikpoba-Okha)
54. Chief Edobor Uwaifo – Enogie of Omolua-Igbanke (Orhionmwon)
55. Chief James I. Ewansiha – Enogie of Oheze (Orhionmwon)
56. Chief Osawaru Henry Abifade – Enogie of Evbiakagba (Ikpoba-Okha)
57. Chief S. Ogiomade – Enogie of Ugboko (Orhionmwon)
58. Chief Uhunmwenkpenma – Enogie of Evbomodu (Ikpoba-Okha)
59. Chief Eki lyawe – Enogie of Obazagbon (Ikpoba-Okha)
60. Chief lyengumwena Usuanlele – Enogie of Uma (Uhunmwode)
61. Chief Daniel Omoregie Evbuomwan – Enogie of Umokpe Irhue (Uhunmwode)
62. Chief Ogiesoba S. Aghoghowen – Enogie of Ogua (Ikpoba-Okha)
63. Chief Osazuwa Napoleon – Enogie of Utesi (Ikpoba-Okha)
64. Chief Ekhomagbomwan Oyevbemina – Enogie of Owe (Orhionmwon)
65. Chief J. U. llawe – Enogie of Evboeghae (Orhionmwon)
66. Prince Aiguobasinmwin Akenzua – Enogie of Siluko (Ovia S/W)
67. Chief B. O. Igiebor – Enogie of Idumuodin Igbanke (Orhionmwon).
And barely 36 hours after their suspension, Senator Monday Okpebholo – led Edo State Government ratified the decision suspending the Enigie, describing their action as amounting to a ‘Cultural Coup D’etat’ to topple the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II.
