Controversy has continued to trail the recent visit of popular streamer Peller to the palace of Oba Ewuare II in Benin City, as the Benin Queen moved to defend the visit with an official letter.
The 19-year-old content creator had visited the palace on March 6 as part of his nationwide tour and was reportedly welcomed by the queen, who also presented him with a gift. However, the Benin Traditional Council described the visit as a desecration, leading to disciplinary actions including the suspension of a chief and the detention of palace staff, while Peller was also summoned.
Amid the backlash, Peller’s team released a letter dated February, stamped as received by palace and council officials, indicating that the visit had prior notice. The letter reads:
“With utmost respect and humility, we write to formally inform the palace of the planned visit of a very prominent online streamer, Peller to Benin, also to the revered palace of the Oba of Benin on the 3rd of March, 2026.
We are pleased to also note that UYIEKPEN OGIEFA, son of Chief Ogefe, Uyi Ogefe, THE NOZEBEN of Benin Kingdom, will be accompanying him during this his visit to the palace.
In light of this visit, we humbly and respectfully request the privilege of a session with His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin, if only for a very brief audience, at a time most convenient to the great palace.
We deeply appreciate the sacred traditions and the dignity of the Benin Kingdom, and we assure the palace of our highest regard, respect, and proper conduct throughout the visit.
Thank you very much.”
Reacting via Instagram, the queen suggested that the situation goes beyond the visit itself, stating: “Hello everyone, the issues at hand isn’t just because Peller came to the palace’s or me gifting him, a lot has been happening behind close doors, the Benin traditional council lied that peller coming to the palace was unauthorized and I brought him from the …”
