Hossanah Thinkan Questions Oba of Benin's Historical Authority in Viral Facebook Video
By EgbemaVoice
A Facebook video by Hossanah Thinkan has stirred fresh debate over traditional authority, cultural identity, and historical ownership of communities, following his strong remarks challenging the basis upon which the Oba of Benin could claim traditional authority over certain indigenous peoples.
Speaking in the video, Thinkan questioned the historical legitimacy of such claims, arguing that kingship over any people should be founded on a clear understanding of their history, customs, and cultural heritage.
According to him, *"How do you think you are a king to a people you don't know their culture, you never conquered in war, you don't know how they bury or mourn their dead? Does state creation give you ownership to land?"*
The remarks have generated discussions on social media, particularly among followers of the long-running debates surrounding the historical identity and traditional status of riverine communities in present-day Edo State.
In the video, Thinkan argued that culture remains one of the strongest indicators of a people's identity. He maintained that every indigenous community has its own language, burial rites, mourning traditions, festivals, customs, and systems of traditional governance, adding that any claim of traditional authority should be supported by a demonstrable understanding of those cultural foundations.
He also questioned whether there was any historical military conquest or documented political submission that could justify claims of sovereignty over the affected communities. According to Thinkan, throughout African history, kingdoms that expanded their territories often did so through conquest, treaties, alliances, or voluntary allegiance, with such events preserved in historical records and oral traditions.
Thinkan further challenged the suggestion that the creation of states or administrative boundaries automatically translates into traditional ownership of land. He argued that while governments possess the constitutional power to create states and local government areas for administrative purposes, such actions do not alter the ancestral origins, cultural identity, or historical heritage of indigenous communities.
According to him, political boundaries established in modern Nigeria cannot rewrite centuries of history or transfer traditional ownership from one ethnic nationality to another.
The Facebook video has since attracted attention from various social media users, with many expressing differing opinions on the historical issues raised. While some viewers supported Thinkan's position, others defended the historical claims of the Benin Kingdom, reflecting the complexity and sensitivity of questions surrounding traditional institutions and indigenous identity.
As of the time of this report, there has been no official response from the Palace of the Oba of Benin regarding the statements made by Hossanah Thinkan in the video.
The issues raised continue to underscore the broader national conversation on history, traditional institutions, and the importance of preserving documented historical records in resolving disputes over identity and ancestral heritage.
**Source:** Facebook video by Hossanah Thinkan.
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