The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), a group that represents young Igbo people, is not happy with the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II. The group is upset because the Oba recently suspended six traditional rulers (also known as monarchs) from the Igbanke clan in Edo State.
According to the OYC, the suspension happened after the Igbanke community said once again that they are Igbo people and not Benin. The OYC believes this action by the Oba is unfair and wrong.
In a statement signed by two of its leaders, Ifeanyichukwu Nweke (Secretary General) and Ukpabi Michael Authority (National Publicity Secretary), the group said the Oba and the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) are trying to force a Benin identity on the Igbanke people. But the OYC says Igbanke has always been an Igbo community.
The letter that suspended the six monarchs was dated April 30, 2025, and was signed by several important Benin chiefs. The OYC said the suspension came one week after a local group, Okiko Uwa Sociocultural Group, announced on April 23 that Igbanke is “an original Igbo tribe” and has no connection to Benin.
“It is shocking that the Oba would punish traditional rulers just for saying who they really are,” the OYC said in the statement.
The OYC warned the Oba to stop interfering in Igbanke’s culture and traditions. They said every community should be allowed to protect and honor its history.
The group’s national president, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, added that they are working hard to bring together all Igbo people—not just in the Southeast, but also in places like Kogi and Benue States. They also celebrated the recent election of Comrade Azuka Oka Etumudon, a son of Igbanke, as National Organizing Secretary during their convention on February 8 in Owerri, Imo State. The OYC called it a big moment for unity.
“For the first time, someone from Igbanke is part of Ohanaeze’s leadership,” the group said proudly.
The OYC also asked the main Igbo group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, to officially include Igbo communities in other states like Edo, Bayelsa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Kogi, and Benue in their constitution.
They explained that Igbanke people speak the Ika dialect, which is different from the Benin language. They also pointed to Igbo cultural titles like Eze, Obi, Okpara-Uku, and Ndi-Ichie as proof of their heritage.
The group asked Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to step in and stop the Oba of Benin from “changing the true history of Igbanke.”
In the end, the OYC promised to stand by Igbanke and all other Igbo communities. “The Igbanke people know who they are,” the group said. “No matter what happens, their identity cannot be taken away.”
