The Oba of Benin, HRM. Ewuare II, has disclosed that he prevented individuals in Government House under past administration in Edo state from relooting the returned artifacts designated for his palace custody.
Godwin Obaseki is the immediate past governor of the state who led for eight years.
He said his position on the proposed return of artifacts looted from the Benin palace by the British in 1897, culminated in the said administration’s attempt to undermine the traditional institution.
The royal father, who disclosed this on Friday evening during a parley with journalists in his palace, alleged that the said administration also deliberately starved the palace of its statutory funds.
Oba Ewuare II noted: “At first, the government slashed the funds to the palace before eventually putting a stop to it. This stoppage lasted for seven months.
“During that period, the palace has to take responsibility of paying its staff and others…
“All these were meant to undermine the palace. That was not the first time… Efforts have been made to undermine the palace, but God and the ancestors did not allow them to prevail.”
Continuing, the Monarch recalled how a former military administrator also made attempt to spite the palace by ordering the building of a storey building at a sacred ground opposite the palace.
He however commended the Governor Monday Okpebholo-led administration for restoring the palace full entitlements and displaying a high sense of respect to the traditional institution.
He urged residents in the state to cooperate with the present administration to enable him deliver on his campaign promises.