Kings vs. Dukes: Demystifying Esan and Benin Traditional Ranks: Response to Ezọmọ Kakadu by Austin Isikhuemen

Austin Isikhuemen | Contributor on politics and business-related topics   

History is not lost in a single day; it is erased comment by comment when we allow digital noise to replace true ancestral memory. In this historical audit, Austin Isikhuemen addresses the unnecessary social media friction between the Benin (Edo South) and Esan (Edo Central) communities, unraveling a critical misunderstanding that has misled younger generations.

While traditional governance in the Benin Kingdom places appointed village dukes (Enigie) below kingdom-wide palace chiefs, applying this logic to Esanland misreads history fundamentally. Esan Enigie are not local delegates; they are sovereign hereditary kings with their own traditional cabinet.

By untangling royal lineage from municipal ranking and separating quiet respect for elders from political surrender, this piece establishes a vital truth for the Edo world: true brotherhood requires absolute honor for each other’s distinct, unbroken sovereignty. Enjoy the response of Austin Isikhuemen Ezọmọ Kakadu.

Here is the original video https://www.facebook.com/reel/1094650629688513

Thanks a lot for your videos, which are enlightening and throw light on some historical issues in the Edo world. I watch them frequently and find them quite interesting. I believe you would also welcome debates/discussions on some issues you raise for the sake of corrections and building where necessary.

Firstly, on the issue of the unnecessary social media altercation between Edos(Benin ) and the Esan people. I would like to say that there is no argument as to the sanguine relationship between the Benin and Esan people. Permit me to use Benin because Edo will get a bit confusing in this discussion since we are all Edos and the State is now also called Edo.

I have written a piece previously, which I will post on your wall later, in which I discussed the relationship between the people of Benin i.e. Edo South, and the Esans of Edo Central. It is only those who do not know the history of our brotherhood who would involve themselves in needless altercation on social media or elsewhere. Most Esan people migrated from Benin.

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However, some of the assertions you made, with such authority and a calm tone, contain some inaccuracies that I would like to point out. I do this to avoid misleading a lot of younger folks whose main source of information these days is social media. Such errors may also lead to some who know better to take an adversarial position, thinking you set out to hoodwink, which I do not think is the case.

You talked about the ranking in the traditional governance structure in Benin.  His Royal Majesty’s Primal position is not in doubt. Then you said he appoints Chiefs and Ẹnogies(Dukes). While an Ẹnogie’s delegated authority is limited to his village, in your words, a Chief’s authority spans the entire Kingdom. Hence, you argued that a Chief is of higher rank than an Enogie.

This argument appears sound since both groups have the same appointing authority. I have experienced two coronations after which subjects, many of royal blood, were appointed and sent to become Ẹnogies in towns and villages within the Benin Kingdom, i.e., Edo South. So, that ranking may well be true in Benin.

However, stretching this ranking to Esanland is erroneous. The Enigie (singular Ọnogie) in Esanland are not appointed the same way. They are not appointed like the Dukes of Edo South. They inherit their thrones through the same primogeniture as applies in the Benin palace. So, no Benin Chief has authority across the Benin/Esan boundary.

Additionally, the Esan Enigie have their own palace Chiefs whose titles virtually replicate the ones we have in Benin. Such titles include, but are not limited to, Esọgban, Iyasẹlẹ, Ezọmọn, Esama, Oniha, etc. They also award non-hereditary titles to deserving subjects and worthy achievers.  

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So, an Esan king (Ọnogie) is not under any Benin Chief and cannot be ranked under them like the Dukes of Benin towns. To state emphatically that “Enigie or Ọnogie” is below a Benin Chief is incorrect with respect to an Ọnogie. I believe any Benin Chief would tell you this. Enogie, a Benin Ọkhaẹmon, is not equivalent to an Esan Ọnogie who has Ekhaẹmọns of his own! 

I will also like to point out that the ranking in the traditional structure that you talked about is faulty. So is the governmental anecdote you gave. You claimed that Chiefs are like ministers of the Federal Government and that, just like ministers are higher than State Governors, Benin Chiefs are higher than Esan Enigie!  On those two grounds, I am sorry, but you are wrong.

In Edo South, Palace Chiefs are higher than Dukes, but Esan Enigie are Kings, not Chiefs. So, the Enigie in Esan are higher in rank than any Chief in Edo State. Similarly, you erred when you said: “the ministers are higher than the State Governors”. This is not true! The ranking (constitutional protocol) is: 1. President 2. Vice President 3. State Governors 4. Ministers. Fact-check this.

You also talked about the visit of some Esan Kings and Chiefs to the respected Esama during his birthday. I am glad that you called the visit a felicitation. Some, who were up to mischief, called it homage; others, tribute!  The one who bent towards him to receive his prayers was not wrong to get the blessings of someone who has seen life in full.  Claiming that the Enigie bowed to greet him and because, as a Benin Chief, “he is greater than them”, you are effectively pushing a narrative which is false.

Firstly, the Ọnogie of Iguẹbẹn, who led the team of some Ẹnigie and Chiefs, is a personal friend of many years to the Esama. He did not bow to greet the Chief. He “embraced” him where the nonagenarian was seated.

He could not be embracing someone seated and be standing straight. Watch the video again! Even to shake hands with him in that position, you must, of necessity, bend a little. Also note that the Ọnogie sat next to him at the event, even with some Benin Chiefs present.

Those on social media, making a mountain out of a molehill, are wrong. So are those who say the Ọnogie had to bow because Benin Chiefs are senior in rank to the Enigie of Esanland.

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Additionally, with the respected Chief’s advanced age, achievements, and national standing, it would not even be wrong for any well-brought-up individual to greet him with respect, even if the Chief puts his hand on his shoulder. Have we not seen photos where the Queen of England bowed to greet Nelson Mandela and the former emperor of Ethiopia?

I noticed too that you used some expletives and rather harsh language on social media, with youths talking about the issue on both sides. They can be annoying. But I will appeal to you to moderate such language so as to avoid a response in a similar manner from those folks, no matter how aggravated.

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What we should do is to engage in tolerant discussions that throw light on our common history and educate those who do not know. Let us keep the conversations civil and correct ourselves when we err.

Austin Isikhuemen

16.09.2026