Benin Kingdom: Coronation New Date Yet Undecided … Palace Considering October 18, 20 – Irabor

By Alltimepost.com – Boston

The Palace of the Great Benin Kingdom will shift the coronation of new Monarch, Crown Prince (Amb.) Eheneden Erediauwa, from September 26, 2016, but has not decided the new date yet, according the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council, Mr. Frank Irabor in a chat with Alltimepost.com on Monday.

Mr. Irabor said the Palace was considering October 18 or 20 and would decide on any of the dates within the next few days.

Alltimepost.com had called him to confirm or debunk a report by an online medium on September 10, that the coronation had been postponed to October 18, 2016.

According to Mr. Irabor, the proposed shift of the coronation date is a result of the unexpected postponement of Edo governorship election from earlier scheduled date of September 10 to 28, 2016 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which cited security concerns for its decision.

“We are looking at October 18 and 20 and would make a decision on the issue before announcing to the public,” he said.

Mr. Irabor said the new date for the gubernatorial election is just two days after the coronation’s earlier scheduled date and that because of the uniqueness of the event, the Palace considered it inconvenient and inappropriate to hold the ceremony, citing apprehension about political interference and unnecessary distractions.

The Palace, he said wants people to have enough time to prepare for the event with special attention because of its uniqueness.

“We cannot afford to have it just two days before the election,” he stated categorically.

On the online publication (not Alltimepost.com), he advised the public to always wait for announcement regarding the coronation and that unless it comes from the Palace, any information out there regarding the event should be regarded as a mere speculation and should not be taken seriously.

On whether there would be a change of venue, he said it remains the same (Urhokpota Hall) on Oba Ovonramwen Square in Benin City, Edo State capital.