By Ogochukwu Isioma
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to safeguarding the sanctity of Benin culture and tradition, declaring that under his watch, no action, public or private will be allowed to undermine the cultural authority of the Benin Kingdom.
The Governor made the declaration on Wednesday while addressing hundreds of peaceful protesters, including palace chiefs, civil society groups, youth bodies, and concerned Edo citizens, who marched to the Government House to demand an immediate halt to the planned opening of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA).
Governor Okpebholo assured the demonstrators that their concerns were legitimate and that his administration shares their resolve to ensure that Benin culture, heritage, and ancestral symbols are never desecrated, diminished, or exploited.
“Our culture is our identity, and I assure you that this administration will never allow its desecration,” he said. “We know where these artifacts were taken from. Now that they have been returned, they must be restored to their rightful place. His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin, is the true custodian of our heritage, and nothing will be done to undermine that truth.”
The Governor commended the protesters for their civility and discipline, noting that their peaceful conduct reflected the dignity for which the Benin Kingdom is globally respected.
He announced that the Minister of Culture and Tourism had reached out to him and would be in Edo State to engage further on the matter.
“I will meet with His Royal Majesty to discuss this issue thoroughly,” Governor Okpebholo said. “Please, be assured that nothing belonging to the people of Edo will be taken away from them. Give me time to resolve this matter in a way that honours our history and our Monarch.”
The protesters, representing a broad coalition of Benin socio-cultural organizations, expressed deep concern over the reported plans to inaugurate MOWAA on November 11, 2025; a move they argued was premature, disrespectful, and potentially illegal.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Comrade Osazee Amas-Edobor, stated that the museum project remains under deliberation at the Edo State House of Assembly, and any attempt to commission it ahead of legislative clarity and royal approval would constitute an affront to the State and the Throne.
“We are here today because the proposed opening of MOWAA is unacceptable,” Amas-Edobor said. “If commissioned under these circumstances, it would disrespect the State Government, the Edo State House of Assembly, and, most importantly, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II.”
He further alleged that MOWAA was originally conceived as the Royal Museum, a project intended to serve the Benin Palace before being altered through what he described as a questionable “Legacy Trust” initiative under the Godwin Obaseki administration.
According to him, the funds initially earmarked for the Royal Museum were diverted, while the Central Hospital, a vital public health facility, was demolished to make way for a project that has since sparked widespread unease among traditional and cultural stakeholders.
“Benin people do not insult elders,” he said. “Our protest is to preserve our heritage and to ensure that what belongs to the Oba is not misappropriated in any form.”
Amid the concerns, the group acknowledged Governor Okpebholo’s transformational governance in just one year, praising him for restoring public confidence through impactful reforms and people-oriented leadership.
“Your Excellency, we commend your developmental strides across all sectors,” Amas-Edobor said. “Edo people are beginning to enjoy the dividends of true democracy.”
Governor Okpebholo, in his closing remarks, urged the demonstrators to return peacefully to their communities, assuring them that his administration would handle the issue with fairness, firmness, and an unshakable loyalty to Benin cultural sovereignty.
“Our heritage is sacred,” he said. “And as long as I remain Governor, it will be protected with honour, wisdom, and resolute leadership.”
