Oba of Benin opposes installation of Garkuwan Hausawan in Edo

The Benin Traditional Council has opposed the planned installation of one Alhaji Danjuma Garba Binkola as the “Garkuwan Hausawan Benin” by one Alhaji Adamu Isah Adamu.

A letter dated April 18, 2024, titled “denunciation of plan to hold a turbaning ceremony in Benin City,”  was signed by Chief Sam Igbe, Iyase of Benin Kingdom, on behalf of the Benin Traditional Council.

The letter, submitted to the Edo State Director of the Department of State Security (DSS), said that Alhaji Adamu Isah Adamu referred to himself as “His Royal Highness.”

According to Igbe, the turbaning ritual would take place on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at No. 7 Butcher Street, off Mission Road in Edo state.

The Iyase of Benin stated that the scheduled turbaning ceremony was an unacceptable attempt to defile the hallowed Benin Traditional and Customary Law on Chieftaincy Matters, with unfavourable ramifications for law and order in the state.

According to him, the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) has been notified that an individual claiming to be “His Royal Highness Alh. Adamu Isah Adamu” and identifying as “Sarkin Hausawa” intends to perform a turbaning ceremony on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at No. 7 Butcher Street, Off Mission Road, Benin City, in which one “Alh. Danjuma Garba Binkola” will be installed as “Garkuwan Hausawa Benin” at No. 7 Butcher Street, Off Mission Road, Benin City.

“The BTC hereby informs the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies as well as the general public that this planned event is a violation of Benin Traditional and Customary Law applicable to chieftaincy matters and therefore must not hold under any circumstances.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the BTC wishes to emphasise that as the Prescribed Authority on Chieftaincy Matters within the Seven Local Government Areas of Edo South Senatorial District, the Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, His Royal Majesty Ewuare II, Oba of Benin has not given consent to or approved the turbaning or conferment of chieftaincy title by whatever name called on any individual by the name “Alh. Danjuma Garba Binkola”; or permitted any person by the name “His Royal Highness Alh. Adamu Isah Adamu” to hold any such ceremony in Benin City or any other part of Edo South Senatorial District, Edo State,” he said.

He did, however, ask everyone involved in the planned turbaning ceremony to avoid violating the sanctity of Benin Traditional and Customary Law by cancelling the planned turban immediately.

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