In a jaw-dropping incident that’s sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s entertainment and cultural circles, popular Nollywood actor Dr. Don Pedro Obaseki faced a brutal ordeal at the hands of alleged Benin Traditional Council enforcers.
Videos circulating online show the actor, stripped down to his boxers, forced to kneel, and dragged on his knees into the Benin Kingdom Palace.
The mob accused him of “disrespect” to the revered Oba Ewuare II, branding him an “Oghionoba”, a damning Benin term for an enemy of the monarch.
What sparked this violent confrontation? And how does it tie into Edo State’s explosive power struggles? Let’s unpack this escalating drama.
Brutal Attack: From Streets to Palace Knees
The chaos unfolded recently when a group of Benin youths, claiming allegiance to the Benin Traditional Council, ambushed Don Pedro Obaseki.
Sources close to the incident reveal it stemmed from his attendance at a high-profile meet-and-greet in London honoring his cousin, former Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Critics labeled the event a slap in the face to the Oba, reigniting old wounds.
Eyewitness accounts and the now-viral video paint a harrowing picture: Obaseki, a respected figure in Nollywood known for his dramatic roles, was seized amid shouts of betrayal.
They ripped off his clothes, leaving him humiliated in underwear, and compelled him to crawl on palace grounds.
Palace officials in traditional white attire and beaded regalia eventually intervened, escorting the disheveled actor inside while the furious crowd lingered outside.
“This is justice for disrespecting our Oba,” one youth screamed in the footage.
For social media-savvy Nigerians, this isn’t just a beating, it’s a cultural spectacle.
But is this vigilantism or tradition enforced?
The actor has yet to issue a public statement, leaving fans in suspense.
The Oba-Obaseki Feud: A Powder Keg of Power and Pride
At the heart of Pedro’s plight lies a bitter, multi-year clash between Oba Ewuare II and ex-Governor Godwin Obaseki.
What began as policy disagreements has morphed into a full-blown cultural war, captivating Edo indigenes and national observers alike.
Flashback to 2021: Tensions boiled over the repatriation of the iconic Benin Bronzes, thousands of artifacts looted by British forces in 1897 during the punitive expedition against the Benin Kingdom.
Oba Ewuare II insisted these treasures, many depicting royal ancestors, belong exclusively to the palace.
He pushed for a Benin Royal Museum on palace grounds, a symbol of reclaimed sovereignty.
Enter Governor Obaseki. He championed the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), a gleaming project under the private Legacy Restoration Trust.
Envisioned as a tourism magnet in a broader cultural district, it promised economic boosts but irked traditionalists who saw it as diluting royal control.
“The artifacts are palace property, not state souvenirs,” palace insiders fumed.
The standoff peaked in 2023 when Nigeria’s Federal Government intervened decisively.
Declaring the Oba the rightful custodian, it shattered Obaseki’s vision and handed the monarch a monumental win.
Social media erupted with Benin pride posts: “Oba don win!” But the scars lingered.
Administrative Wars: Dukes, Allocations, and ‘Divide-and-Rule’ Accusations
The feud wasn’t confined to museums.
A fierce administrative battle erupted when several Enigie, powerful traditional dukes in Edo South, petitioned Obaseki’s government for independent councils.
The palace branded this a sinister “divide-and-rule” ploy to fragment the Benin Kingdom and erode the Oba’s supremacy.
Oba Ewuare II responded swiftly, suspending rebellious dukes for “insubordination.”
Defiant, they sued the monarch, a move many Bini elders decried as taboo, akin to challenging gods.
Whispers swirled that Obaseki bankrolled these lawsuits, fueling palace rage.
Post-tenure allegations piled up.
The palace accused Obaseki’s administration of starving the Benin Traditional Council of monthly allocations for seven straight months.
They also claimed the state seized the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre, earmarked for artifact storage, and bizarrely turned it into a motor park. “Sabotage!” roared traditionalists.
These grievances turned personal when Pedro Obaseki, tied by blood to the ex-governor, attended that London event.
To palace loyalists, it was guilt by association, cementing his “Oghionoba” label.
New Governor’s Pivot: Harmony Restored?
Enter Governor Monday Okpebholo, whose November 2024 inauguration marked a seismic shift.
Oba Ewuare II wasted no time, publicly praising the new leadership for “restoring dignity.”
This thaw contrasts sharply with past hostilities.
State-Palace collaborations now buzz with promise: artifact housing, cultural festivals, and tourism drives.
Yet, Don Pedro Obaseki’s assault raises red flags, does it signal lingering vigilante justice under the new regime?
Edo watchers speculate: Will Obaseki’s allies face more backlash?
Social media polls show divided opinions, 40% back the palace’s “tough love,” 35% cry foul on mob rule, and 25% demand police probes.
Cultural Stakes: Benin Bronzes and Beyond
Beyond the drama, this saga spotlights Nigeria’s cultural renaissance.
The Benin Bronzes, valued at billions, symbolize colonial plunder’s long shadow.
Over 3,000 pieces have trickled back from Western museums like the British Museum and Smithsonian, but custody battles persist.
Oba Ewuare’s victory underscores monarchs’ roles as heritage guardians in Nigeria’s federal setup.
His ordeal humanizes the abstract, stripped not just of clothes, but dignity.
Social Media Storm: Reactions Pour In
The video has racked up millions of views. Celebrities like Yul Edochie weighed in: “Respect the crown or face the throne’s wrath.”
Obaseki loyalists counter: “Thuggery has no place in modern Edo.”
Benin youths defend it as cultural enforcement, while human rights groups call for arrests.
What’s Next for Edo’s Throne Wars?
Pedro Obaseki’s humiliation could be a flashpoint or footnote in Edo’s evolving narrative.
With Okpebholo steering steady, will peace prevail? Or will Obaseki’s shadow provoke more palace showdowns?
Edo’s story reminds us: In kingdoms old and new, respect isn’t optional.
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