The Benin royal family in Edo State on Monday declared that the Oba of Benin does not endorse political candidates, describing as abominable the seeming cold war among the chiefs of the Royal Court (top palace chiefs), after the comments made by the Esogban of Benin Kingdom and Chairman of the Benin Forum, Chief David Edebiri, that the Benin people will not vote for President Goodluck Jonathan.

The family specifically described as disrespectful the alleged open castigation of the Esogban by the Eson of Benin Kingdom, Chief Amos Osunbor, who declared that the Binis will vote for President Jonathan, saying the Eson’s action was against the rules of the palace since his rank comes after that of the Esogban in the hierarchy of the palace chiefs.

Speaking through the Enogie of Obazuwa and younger brother of the Oba of Benin, Prince Edun Akenzua, the royal family also punctured the claim by Chief Nosakhare Isekhure, the Isekhure of Benin Kingdom, who had stated that the Oba had endorsed President Jonathan through the Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom last year in Abuja.

Pointing out that Isekhure gave the impression that he was the Oba’s spokesman, Prince Akennzua added: “It must be said that the Oba does not, I repeat, does not endorse any politician.

“They all visit him to seek his support and blessings. The Oba mandates the senior chief at the court during the visit to say a prayer. That prayer is stereotyped that God may give to Benin and Nigeria the person who will develop our land and make it possible for citizens to put three square meals on their tables.”

Against this backdrop, he hinted that Chief Osunbor might be court marshaled according to palace rules over his comment, explaining that: “The disturbing aspect of the whole saga is the indiscipline and disloyalty to the Benin course and our revered institution.”

In order to comprehend the gravity and implication of Eson’s act, the Enogie of Obozuwa explained briefly the organ gram of the Benin chieftaincy.

According to him, “Palace or Royal Chiefs belong mainly to three groups, namely: Eghaevbo n’ore, Eghaevbo n’Ogbe and Ibiwe. Iyase is the head of Eghaevbo n’orhe. Esogban, Eson and Osuma belong to the same group and are in that order of seniority. That means Eson is next to Esogban in the hierarchy of that group.

“Both Esogban, Eson and Isekhure can exercise their freedom of speech, but that freedom of speech does not extend to a chief or member of the royal court to publicly and derisively criticize his colleague, more so, a senior one. In the military or any other force, the erring person would be court marshaled,” he declared.

Besides, the royal family also carpeted members of the President Jonathan’s campaign organization in the state led by Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu for alleged attempt to desecrate the Holy Aruosa Cathedral where the Oba worships, accusing them of taking their campaigns to the church.

“It is even more so when the leader or the coordinator is a Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God,” the crown prince said.