Ownership Tussle: Serious Tension Brewing In Ologbo Dukedom

By Sir Ralph Okhiria

As battle for the rightful  ownership of the oil rich, Ologbo  community  in Ikpoba-Okha local government area of Edo State, between the Itsekiris/Ijaws and the Benins in Community intensifies, Enogie (Duke) of the Dukedom, His Royal Highness, Owen Jackson Imasogie Akenzua, has insisted that Ologbo belongs to the Benins.

But the Itsekiris during a recent protest in the area, once again, claimed that they have been living independently in Ologbo for over 400 years and therefore are the rightful owner of community.

The protesters in their numbers from various Itsekiri communities residing in Ologbo, vowed to resist any attempt to subject them to be an appendage of the Benin Kingdom.

Ologbo which is a boundary between Edo state and Delta State, have for some time now been engulfed in crisis over the ownership of community, causing unrest between the Benins, Itsekiris and Ijaws in the area.

The protesters comprising youths, men and women in a peaceful protest march around the community, stated that Ologbo Community, remains in Edo state, adding that the fallacy of the Binis residing in Ologbo and the tussle over the ownership of Ologbo and the various Itsekiri and Ijaw communities is a threat to the peace and tranquility enjoyed by the people of the communities from time memorial.

Spokesman for the Itsekiri and Ijaw communities of Ologbo, Ikara, Kolokolo, Ajoki, Ajatiton, Ajamogha and Abiala 1 and 2,  Mr Greg Luma said the attempt to take over the heritage bequeathed to them by their fathers who were the first settlers and founders of various Itsekiri and Ijaw communities would be resisted by the every true Itsekiri and Ijaw sons.

“The Mbanefo boundary Adjustment committee’s mistake, by using the Ologbo river as a landmark for the boundary between Edo and Delta state does not give the ownership of Ologbo and the riverine communities in Ikpoba-Okha LGA to Edo state.

“The Itsekiris and Ijaws as a people have their own unique identity and will not be subsumed or assimilated into another tribe in this modern day Nigeria. Therefore, we do not recognise any dukedom put in place by the Binis to tactically obliterate the identity of the Itsekiris and Ijaws from Edo state and their right of self determination in Nigeria.

“These communities have their native laws, customs and local administrative system even before the advent of British colonial rule in the areas they are today. We have never been an appendage of the Benin Kingdom at any given time in history and will not accept that aberration of a Dukedom to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“It is highly ludicrous for somebody of another ethnic nationality to claim native authority over communities he does not relate to neither by birth nor by adoption, and communities he has never been to or even speak the language.

“The Itsekiris and Ijaws  will not allow themselves to be colonized or assimilated into Benin culture and tradition in this modern day Nigeria where we all have equal rights under the Nigeria constitution.

“The Itsekiris communities in Edo state have their head which is the Olare-Aja, a title that existed long ago, with the Itsekiris having lived in these communities areas for over 400 years,”  Mr. Luma said.

To demonstrate how serious they were, they issued a serious-worded petition to the State and Federal Governments, urging the two authorities to restrain the Enogie (traditional ruler) from further imposing New Administrative Executives on their communities.

Those who signed the petition sent to both Edo State and Federal Governments are, Shuwa Oyemami, Benson Erewa, (Ologbo Community), Tosan Nosa Ailodion, Moses Towughailie (Ikara), Abel Iyinbor, Churchum Tonurara Moregho, (Kolokolo) Ajatiton Isaac, and  Ukuyon Michael (Ajoki).

Others are Ireokane Samuel, Eyonuoma Oloma (Ajatiton) Bawo Otikpere, Andrew Otikpere ( Ajamogha) Berlin Tifmo and Benson Joe (Abiala 2).

They said Mbanefo boundary Committee’s mistake by using Ologbo river  as landmark for the boundary between Edo and Delta States does not give the Benin Duke the ownership of Ologbo and riverine communities of Ikpoba- Okha Local Government Area.

Amongst the resolutions in the petition, were that the Itsekiris and Ijaws as a people have their own unique identity and will not be subsumed or assimilated into another tribe in the modern Nigerian state and that the Enogie of Ologbo and his sponsors should be stopped from using security agencies and judiciary to harass and intimidate them.

The  petition, also stated that the Enogie be reminded that the  role of Traditional Institution is more of advisory and preservation of the Customs, Traditions, and Taboos of the people especially those that are repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience.

They added that he (Enogie), has no right under any guise to appoint people to manage the affairs of any Itsekiri or Ijaw community as community governance in the area is by family representation under the supervision and approval of Olare-Aja.

It further asked that all letters issued from the Palace of the Enogie to install new Executives in the various Itsekiri communities should be retracted with immediate effect, recalling that the existence of the communities predates the establishment of the Dukedom as they have lived  there for over 400 years.

But the Enogie of Ologbo Dukedom, His Royal Highness, Owen Jackson Imasogie Akenzua,  dismissed  claims by the Itsekiris and Ijaws in his dukedom, whom he called Settlers as frivolous, baseless and untrue.

He explained that the Palace decided to institute Executives in the communities owing to difficulties in  promptly  accessing the areas for the day to day administration of their affairs and feed backs, which according to him, all stakeholders agreed was the best for rapid development and peaceful environment.

The Enogie who spoke through the Secretary to Ologbo Traditional Council, and General Secretary to Ologbo Dukedom, Mr. Friday Osazuwa, said the Protesting faceless People could not have lived in Ologbo for 400 years, noting that the Ologbo River remains the natural boundary between Edo and Delta States, respectively, on the Ologbo axis of the State.

Enogie Akenzua, disclosed that all Lands in Edo South Senatorial District, including Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area,  belong to the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Ukuakpolokpolor, Oba Ewuare II, the Ogidigan,  and that the Enogie was a direct representative of his Royal Majesty, Oba of Benin at the various Dukedoms, adding that Ologbo cannot be an exemption.

Also, the Benin Solidarity Movement (BSM), says the actions of the Itsekiris/Ijaws over claims of ownership of Ologbo  dukedom, is an act of ungratefulness and insults.

The group described the Itsekiris/Ijaws as  ungrateful  settlers who have usurped  the freedom  granted them by the Benins.

The Socio-social cultural group, ( BSM), in a reaction by it’s President General, Elder Curtis Ugbo, said  the purported briefing by the Ijaws and Itsekiri that the Ologbo kingdom belongs to them was  Mr  Johnson Atseleghe campaign to cover up his atrocities.

Elder Ugbo, said, “Johnson Atseleghe campaign to cover up his atrocities, is an insult to the palace of the Benin monarch and poisonous to the entire Benin kingdom .

 Elder  Curtis Ugbo, while detailing a brief history of the Ijaws and Itsekiri  living at Ologbo, posited that,  “one Mr Johnson  Atseleghe is only leading the Ijaws-Itsekiri  to eternal ruin by pointing accusing fingers to the palace of the Omo N’Oba for imposing a king on Ologbo dukedom.

 Elder Ugbo hinted that apart from the Ijaws, Itskekiri, Urhobos, Igbos and other ethnic groups are  also settlers in Ologbo dukedom, alleging that Mr Johnson Atseleghe, is biting more than he could chew by claiming the ownership right of Ologbo dukedom.

  “Johnson Atseleghe is from Delta state and he relocated to Ologbo in 1976 to settle, how can he be questioning the authority of the Oba of Benin, it is fully a taboo and should not be mentioned anywhere.”

He however called on the Benins to toe the line of peace for the sake of harmonious co- existence in the area, noting, “those who protested are disgruntled elements who were hired to do so by Johnson Atseleghe.”

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