Nigeria, Nov. 3 -- For centuries, the Kingdom of Benin stood as a beacon of African civilisation, sophisticated governance, and artistic brilliance. At the centre of this magnificent heritage is the Monarch himself: the revered Oba of Benin, not just a traditional ruler but the living soul, spiritual anchor, and historical custodian of the Edo people.

The Benin Monarchy has survived empires, colonial invasions, the systematic theft of its sacred artefacts, and, more recently, the Obaseki administration's attempt to denigrate, undermine, and dilute the Monarchy's significance in contemporary governance. Yet a new and deeply painful threat is emerging. It is not coming from foreign adversaries, but from within our own house, driven by cert...