UNMASKING THE TENSIONS: INSIDE THE ETHNIC FRICTION SPARBED BY ASARI DOKUBO’S ATTACK ON THE OBA OF BENIN
PORT HARCOURT — A single viral video has ignited a fierce cultural and political firestorm across Nigeria’s South-South region. Prominent Niger Delta activist and former militant leader, Mujahid Asari Dokubo, launched a scathing verbal assault on one of West Africa’s most revered traditional institutions: the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Oba Ewuare II.
Dokubo’s claims that the Benin Kingdom was built on “lies” and functioning as a “419 entity” have pushed long-simmering ethnic rivalries into the open. This investigative report digs beneath the surface of the viral video to uncover the geopolitical motives, historic frictions, and dangerous security implications of this public falling out.
The Catalyst: A War of Words
The controversy began when Asari Dokubo released a video directly challenging the historical narrative of the Benin Kingdom.
-
- The Insults: Dokubo dismissed the historical dominance of the Benin Empire, claiming its legacy is fabricated.
- The Target: The remarks directly targeted the stool of the Oba of Benin, an institution considered sacred by millions of Edo people.
- The Medium: Broadcasted across social media, the video quickly amassed hundreds of thousands of views, triggering immediate tribal gatekeeping online.
Deep-Seated Roots: The Ijaw-Benin Territorial Rivalry
Investigating the backdrop of Dokubo’s anger reveals that this is not a random outburst. It is the latest chapter in a bitter, decades-long territorial and cultural dispute between the Ijaw and Benin ethnic groups.
-
- Land and Oil: For years, Ijaw communities living within Edo State (such as Gelegele) have clashed with the Benin Kingdom over land ownership, local autonomy, and the distribution of oil royalties.
- The Olodiama Stool: Frictions peaked previously when Ijaws attempted to install an “Olieoni” (King) of Olodiama Kingdom in Edo State. The Benin Traditional Council fiercely blocked this, asserting that the Oba of Benin remains the sole prescribing authority over all lands in the region.
- Historical Rewriting: Insiders suggest Dokubo’s video is a calculated attempt to challenge Benin’s historic hegemony and strengthen Ijaw political leverage in coastal border communities.
The Backlash: A Region on Edge
The reaction from Benin loyalists, youth groups, and socio-cultural organizations was swift and uncompromising.
-
- Edo Youth Resistance: The Edo National Association and various youth coalitions issued stern warnings to Dokubo. They demanded an immediate retraction and a public apology.
- Security Alarms: Security analysts warn that Dokubo’s rhetoric is highly volatile. In a region where ethnic militias have historically mobilised over resource control, verbal attacks on ethnic symbols can easily translate into real-world violence.
- The Silence of Elders: While radical groups on both sides trade threats, top-tier traditional rulers have maintained a calculated silence. They hope to avoid elevating Dokubo’s remarks into an official diplomatic crisis between kingdoms.
The Dangerous Intersection of Culture and Politics
Beyond history, the timing of this controversy points toward modern political maneuvering. Asari Dokubo remains an influential, heavily armed political figure in the Niger Delta with deep ties to various political factions.
By positioning himself as the aggressive defender of Ijaw pride against Benin influence, Dokubo secures his relevance among his kinsmen. However, weaponizing ethnic history for contemporary political mileage places the fragile peace of the South-South region on a knife-edge.
As law enforcement monitors the brewing tension, one reality remains clear: in Nigeria, when ancient kingdoms clash with modern political actors, the fallout is rarely confined to words alone.