The Oba And His Handkerchief

The Oba And His Handkerchief My early knowledge of the royal palace of Benin and its occupant dates to when the revered Oba, late Akenzua II, reigned till 1979. He was royalty personified, a leader, peace lover and father of all. The present Oba and members of the royal family have carried on in the footsteps of their ancestors. But I used to think that the Oba of Benin does not talk, especially in public. This thinking was informed by the fact that I never saw or heard the late Akenzua II talk or laugh. He always had a white handkerchief in his hand which he put to his mouth almost all the time whether in the palace or outside of it. I grew up believing that the Oba did this because he did not wish the public to see his teeth or that he did not want an unguarded word to slip from his mouth. Whichever it was, it no doubt added to the awe in which the monarch was held, not only among the Bini people but all over the country and beyond. It may well be the tradition or part of the royal dressing, but the present Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa does handle the white handkerchief but rarely puts it to his mouth like his father did. The handling of the handkerchief may not be the only difference between late Akenzua II and Oba Erediauwa which has become clear to me. While both rulers may be considered insulated from partisanship by virtue of the position, Oba Erediauwa has a ‘’handkerchief language’’ which is reflected in the way he waves the object when he makes a speech during courtesy calls on him. The Oba’s handkerchief has been waving lately, but not many may have even noticed or deciphered the direction or meaning of it. A palace chief, Chief David Edebiri, the Esogban of Benin, perhaps, understands this and, therefore, describes the Oba as ‘’the embodiment of politics’’. This Oba is not a politician, but is, indeed, surrounded by politicians. This perhaps explains why I think he likes to speak for himself most of the time. Each time his chiefs have had to speak on his behalf, they have tended to leave no one in doubt as to what they really mean. Take for instance an occasion in which the Iyase of Benin, Chief Sam Igbe or the Esogban of Benin, Chief David Edebiri or the Obasogie of Benin, Chief Eduwu Ekhator or Chief Amos Osunbor addresses visitors on behalf of the Oba, particularly if such visitors are politicians. What manner of speech would we expect if Comrade Adams Oshiomhole or Gen. Charles Airhiavbere were to visit the palace of the Oba of Benin today? The Iyase would tell Oshiomhole: One good term deserves another term. The people of Edo South will show appreciation to the Comrade Governor for what he is doing by voting him back to office. We will not reward good with evil. God will give you strength. The only way to thank you for what you have done is through our votes. Whoever wants to contest this election should come and say what he has done’’. The Esogban would say: As the Odionwere of Benin Kingdom, and with the authority of the Oba, I say we will vote for Oshiomhole. Oshiomhole is the Bini candidate. He knows the problems of the Binis and he is solving them. We have seen many Mr. Fix It here but they could not fix anything. Today, Oshiomhole is fixing everywhere. We want to appreciate Oshiomhole by voting him back to government house. The oracle has spoken. Anybody who wants to go against the decision of the oracle should wait for the battle’’. He would also add: ‘’I was coming to the palace one day and I met a multitude of people and I asked what was happening. They said the governorship candidate of the PDP is inside. I quickly told my driver to reverse the car because I did not see the Iyase’s car and if I came to the palace, it would be my lot to pray for him and I did not want to pray for a candidate who will not pass’’. Last week Saturday, President Goodluck Jonathan, his vice, Namadi Sambo, PDP National chairman, Bamanga Tukur, Chief Tony Anenih and Gen. Charles Airhiavbere as well as scores of top party chieftains were in Benin City to attend a campaign rally and took time off to pay a visit to the palace of the Oba of Benin. The Oba could not receive the team publicly so he opted to grant audience to the president in the inner chambers of the palace. This kind gesture of the Oba should be seen for what it is, a show of deep love and appreciation of the person of Mr. President, as only loved and cherished persons are usually entertained in the inner recesses of our homes. This has been variously interpreted as shunning the president and his group or that the group was too large. Whichever way the palace debacle is seen, I posit that what the palace did was in the best interest of the visitors. The Oba knows the mindset of the palace chiefs, who, I dare say, would not look back in telling the president he had come to Edo state for a futile exercise. The Oba, not being a politician but a loving father to all, saved everybody that embarrassment. My only regret is that all those who came with President Jonathan failed to see the Oba and his handkerchief.