A major crisis has reportedly hit the Benin Forum, a steering Committee put in place by the Benin traditional ruler for the welfare and the development of the Benin kingdom, over the alleged unilateral endorsement of the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), General Mohammadu Buhari, in the forthcoming general election.

Already, some members of Forum have reportedly passed a vote of no confidence in the chairman of the steering Committee of the Forum, Chief David Edebiri, the Esogban of Benin Kingdom, for his inability to properly manage the affairs of the Forum in accordance with its constitution.

It was gathered that this was sequel to Chief Edebiri’s campaign that Benin people should not vote for President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term in office, contrary to the position and directive of the Benin traditional ruler, the Omo N’oba Erediauwa, Nedo Uku-Akpolokpolor and the entire Benin Kingdom.

Consequently, the concerned members of the Forum had requested that Chief Edebiri to step down as chairman of the steering committee, within 72 hours, beginning from Monday, February 16 and Wednesday, February 18.

These positions were reportedly taken at a meeting in Benin, last Sunday, convened by Prince S. Ebuwa, Prince Francis Omo-Osunde Iyasere, Colonel Edward Igbinidu (who represented Benin Retired Military Officers), Lawrence Igbinosun and Lucky Osahon, as contained in a press statement signed by the Director of Media of the Forum, Osamwonyi Osagiede and made available to newsmen in Abuja, on Tuesday.

According to the statement: “Chief David Edebiri should be reminded that some months ago, our revered Omo N’oba, Nedo Uku-Akpolokpolor, Oba of Benin, who appointed him and 23 other prominent Benin sons and daughters, from different political parties to oversee the affairs of the Forum, sent the crown prince, Eheneden Erediauwa to President Jonathan to express his support for the re-election of Mr President and his constant prayers for his victory at the polls.

“Therefore, it is odiously mischievous and rude for anyone to assume another position.

“The concerned members of the Benin Forum rose from an emergency meeting on Sunday, February, 15, 2015 in Benin City to re-emphasise the importance of the Forum and its undiluted role is supposed to play for the entire Benin people.

The Forum said that Edebiri’s push that Benin people should not vote for President Jonathan “is totally unacceptable as it amounts to undermining the sanctity and authority of the Benin traditional ruler. To every Benin man, the pronouncement and direction of the Benin monarch is sacrosanct.

“Chief Edebiri’s reaction to Patrick Eholor’s position that he (Edebiri) was speaking for the gods is most amusing and funny: when has he become the chief priest of Benin Kingsdom or Ohen,” the Forum queried.