The Benin Kingdom is grappling with a royal succession crisis that has its roots in the 15th century. According to historical accounts, Prince Owere, the son of Oba Ezoti and grandson of Oba Ewuare, was killed before reaching the capital. The prince had been selected to succeed his father, whose reign had ended almost as soon as it began. The circumstances surrounding Owere's death are attributed to his uncle, Prince Okpame, who would later ascend the throne under the name Ozolua.
The succession crisis began after the death of Oba Ewuare, one of the rulers associated with Benin's 15th-century territorial expansion. Ewuare left several sons, including Ezoti, Olua, and Okpame. Ezoti succeeded his father around 1473 but his reign was exceptionally short, lasting only fourteen days. During his coronation ceremonies, Ezoti was struck in the forehead by a poisoned arrow fired by a boy he had previously mistreated. The ruler forgave the boy but died soon after.
Ezoti's death raised questions about who should inherit the throne. The proposed successor was his son, Owere. This decision marked a departure from the collateral succession practices that had previously allowed kingship to pass among brothers within the royal lineage. The nomination meant that the throne would pass from Ezoti directly to his son rather than automatically to one of Ezoti's surviving brothers. This placed Owere's uncles within the circle of possible competitors for power.
According to historical accounts, Okpame was sent to bring Owere from Esi to the capital but instead arranged for two pits to be prepared along the route. Owere and his mother were buried alive. The killing was subsequently discovered, and the chiefs and people of Benin expelled Okpame. He went into exile at Ora, a community associated with his mother's family. This event complicated the position of another surviving prince, Olua.
With Owere dead and Okpame banished, the Uzama Nihinron turned to Olua, another son of Ewuare. However, he initially refused the crown, fearing violent retaliation from Okpame. The Uzama consequently sought another candidate, Princess Edeleyo, also recorded as Edeloyo, a daughter of Ewuare and sister of Olua. Her nomination introduced another dimension to the succession dispute: the possibility of a woman occupying Benin's highest royal office.
The account of Edeleyo occupies an unusual place in Benin royal history. The princess accepted the nomination, but the outcome of this decision is not well-documented. The crisis highlights the complexities of Benin's monarchical system and the challenges of succession. The events surrounding Owere's death and Okpame's exile continue to shape the kingdom's history.
The historical accounts of the crisis, as recorded by Jacob Egharevba, Robert Arthur Sargent, and Osemwegie Ebohon, provide a detailed understanding of the circumstances preceding Ozolua's accession. These accounts demonstrate the ongoing impact of the succession dispute on Benin's monarchy and highlight the need for a deeper understanding of the kingdom's complex history.
Key points
- Prince Owere's death and Ozolua's exile were pivotal events in Benin's royal succession crisis.
- The crisis led to a re-evaluation of succession practices within the royal lineage.
- The possibility of a woman occupying the throne was introduced with the nomination of Princess Edeleyo.
