Despite protest over the installation of a new traditional ruler in Edo by the state government, the newly turbaned leader of the Shua Arab in Edo State Idris Adanno says he is loyal to the Oba of Benin following outrage over his planned coronation.
Edo State Government had condemned the planned coronation, saying it only recognises the Sultan of Sokoto.
However, speaking with reporters in Benin on Friday, Adanno said the Benin monarch is like a father to him and that he is a responsible resident of Edo.
He said, “The whole issue was misunderstood because of the language used. All the tribes from the north who are resident in Edo State are all under the Sarkin Hausawa but we all now have our individual sarkin like those of Kanuri, Nupe, and others.
“In our Shua language, Sultan is our own sarkin and we only wanted to celebrate my appointment as the head of Shua Arab in Benin because we are the second-largest local ethnic group from the north. We are all under Sarkin Hausawa of Benin who gave us an introductory letter which we submitted before the governor of the state, the Oba of Benin, and the Secretary to State Government.
“We are all law-abiding citizens and under the laws of the state. We are also loyal to our royal father the Oba of Benin who is father to all of us. We apologise to the state government for the mix-up and as law-abiding citizens, we have also cancelled all the activities we wanted to do as directed by the state government.”
The Sarkin Hausawa of Benin Adamu Isa, who also spoke with the news media, said the whole incident was misunderstood because of the choice of language.