Benin Council Declares Peller Persona Non Grata Over Alleged Palace Intrusion

The Benin Traditional Council has taken decisive action against popular social media influencer Habeeb Hamzat Adelaja, widely known as “Peller,” declaring him persona non grata over an alleged unauthorised entry into the historic Benin Palace.

The development follows reports that the influencer gained access to the palace on March 6, 2026, without official clearance, an act the council considers a grave violation of long-standing traditional protocols governing the revered institution.

The Benin Palace, which serves as the official seat of the Oba of Benin, holds deep cultural, spiritual, and historical significance within the Benin Kingdom and beyond. Access to the palace is highly regulated, with strict procedures in place to preserve its sanctity and authority.

Reacting to the incident, the council condemned the alleged breach, describing it as disrespectful and unacceptable. It stressed that individuals, regardless of social status or public influence, must adhere strictly to established customs and protocols when engaging with traditional institutions.

The declaration of persona non grata effectively prohibits Peller from entering the palace premises or participating in any activities linked to the Benin traditional institution. The move underscores the council’s commitment to upholding discipline, respect, and the dignity of the monarchy.

The incident has also raised concerns about possible lapses in palace security, as observers question how an unauthorised individual was able to gain entry into such a highly secured and symbolic location. Calls have emerged for a review of security measures to prevent a recurrence.

Beyond the immediate controversy, the situation has ignited wider debate on social media regarding the conduct of influencers and the growing tension between digital culture and traditional values. Many commentators have emphasised the need for greater awareness and respect for Nigeria’s cultural heritage, especially among young public figures.

As of press time, Peller has yet to issue any official statement addressing the allegations or the council’s decision.

Benin Council Declares Peller Persona Non Grata Over Alleged Palace Intrusion

Just In: Federal Govt Announces Public Holidays for Eid-el-Fitr

The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially declared Thursday, March 19, and Friday, March 20, 2026, as public holidays to commemorate the Eid al-Fitr celebration.

The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, in a statement made available to journalists.

According to the statement, the holidays are in recognition of Eid-el-Fitr, a major Islamic festival that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, during which Muslims observe fasting, prayer, and acts of charity.

Ajani congratulated Muslim faithful across the country for successfully completing the Ramadan fast, urging them to uphold the values of sacrifice, self-discipline, love, and generosity beyond the fasting period.

She further called on Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for peace, unity, and stability in the country, stressing the need for collective efforts toward national development.

The Federal Government also reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all citizens during the festive period.

Just In: Federal Govt Announces Public Holidays for Eid-el-Fitr

Fani-Kayode Slams Dele Momodu for Comparing Tinubu to Abacha

Lagos – Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode has fired back at media entrepreneur and politician Dele Momodu after the latter compared President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to former military ruler Sani Abacha during a televised interview over the weekend.

Momodu had reportedly criticised the Tinubu administration, describing the president’s leadership style as “dictatorial”, prompting a strong rebuke from Fani-Kayode, who described the comparison as “unfair, disrespectful, and misleading”.

Fani-Kayode took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his disapproval, saying Momodu’s remarks were not only offensive to President Tinubu, but also to the Vice President, federal ministers, senators, and newly appointed ambassadors, many of whom he said possess substantial governance experience. He wrote:

“I love Dele and God knows I have immense respect for him, but he sounded drained, tired, and broken and spoke little sense yesterday in his interview.”

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He urged Momodu to take a break from politics and political commentary to “overhaul his intellectual engine” and avoid spreading negative narratives about Nigeria’s democratically elected leaders.

Fani-Kayode stressed that President Tinubu operates within a democratic framework, unlike Abacha, whose military regime was marked by authoritarian rule. He emphasized that comparing a democratically elected president to a military dictator undermines the principles of constitutional governance and misrepresents Tinubu’s administration.

He also criticised the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the party to which Momodu belongs, advising its members to focus on strengthening the party and building a credible opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections, rather than obsessing over attacks against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The ADC cannot even be described as a sinking ship but rather as a badly patched up inflatable plastic life boat… How can such an ill-prepared contraption even float, let alone do battle?” Fani-Kayode wrote, highlighting the party’s lack of organization, leadership, and political influence.

In his rebuttal, Fani-Kayode also used religious and symbolic language to emphasise his points, urging Momodu to abandon negative political commentary. He concluded by asserting that President Tinubu had started well, is performing competently, and will “end well” with no regrets by 2031.

The response has sparked widespread debate on social media, with some defending Momodu’s freedom of expression as a commentator, while others agree with Fani-Kayode’s assessment that comparing Nigeria’s democratically elected president to a former military dictator is misleading and inflammatory. Political analysts say the exchange underscores growing tensions in Nigerian political discourse, particularly between ruling and opposition party figures.

Fani-Kayode Slams Dele Momodu for Comparing Tinubu to Abacha