The Oba of Benin Cannot Even Qualify As A Palace Chief Before Me In My Palace – Dokubo

According to a video shared on Facebook on Thursday, October 8, 2026, Niger Delta activist and traditional ruler Asari Dokubo has sparked discussion after making a statement about the qualifications required to occupy traditional leadership positions within his palace.

Dokubo made the remark while discussing traditional institutions, leadership structures and the standards he believes should determine who qualifies for specific positions within a royal household.

During the discussion, he compared his traditional institution with that of the Oba of Benin, making a statement about the eligibility of the revered monarch to hold a position within his palace.

Speaking in the video, Dokubo stated, “The Oba of Benin cannot even qualify as a palace chief before me in my palace.”

The comment reflected Dokubo’s position on the hierarchy of traditional leadership and the requirements he believes individuals must satisfy before occupying certain roles within his palace.

According to his remarks, traditional institutions operate under distinct customs, rules and leadership structures that determine the responsibilities and positions available to individuals. These requirements may differ from one traditional institution to another, depending on established practices and the authority governing each palace.

Dokubo’s statement suggested that the qualifications recognised within his own traditional institution would determine whether an individual could occupy a position in his palace, regardless of the person’s status elsewhere.

His comparison with the Oba of Benin also brought attention to the differences that can exist between traditional leadership systems across Nigeria, where various communities maintain their own customs, titles and procedures for recognising traditional authorities.

However, the statement presented in the video did not provide detailed information about the specific customs or criteria Dokubo was referring to when making the comparison.

The remarks form part of a broader discussion about traditional authority, the significance of palace titles and the standards governing leadership within traditional institutions.

The Oba of Benin occupies a prominent position within the traditional institution of the Benin Kingdom, while Dokubo has also identified himself with traditional leadership in the Niger Delta.

Dokubo concluded his remarks by maintaining that, under the standards he applies within his own palace, the Oba of Benin would not qualify to become a palace chief.

His statement has drawn attention to the question of how traditional institutions define eligibility for leadership positions and how their individual customs shape the recognition of titles within different royal households.

Click on the link to watch the video from 22:20 – 22:29

Onesmart feedback-opera-news-app@opera.com