ÀOba Ewuare 11 stops the installation of Pere Of Olodiama

SIMON EBEGBULEM, BENIN CITY

There is tension between Ijaw traditional rulers and the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare 11, following the attempt by the Ijaw traditional rulers led by the Paramount Ruler of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Delta state, Pere Oboro Gbaraun 11, to install one Godwin Ogunyebo, as the Pere of Olodiama Kingdom, in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo state last Tuesday. The domain of the revered Benin monarch. The tension heightened when the Ijaw traditional rulers both from Delta and Bayelsa state, who were on their way for the coronation ceremony were sent back by security agents including the Army which stalled the ceremony. Sunday Vanguard learnt that they have been several attempts to carry out the installation but has hit the wall following the resistant of the Benin traditional council who accused the Ijaw people of trying to install a monarch in the soil of Benin land which is under the jurisdiction of Omo N’Oba N’edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare 11, Ogidigan. After the botched attempt to install Godwin as the Pere of Olodiama Kingdom last Tuesday, the angry Ijaw traditional rulers accused the Federal Government of conniving with the Oba of Benin, to obstruct the land and territories belonging to the Ijaw people of Olodiama in Edo state. The traditional rulers who addressed journalists alleged that “armed security men who claimed to be acting from orders from above prevented them from accessing Olodiama Kingdom where a new King was to be crowned”. According to the monarchs they were heading to Gelegele community where the installation was to hold on Tuesday where they were barred from proceeding. Spokesman of Gbaramatu traditional kingdom, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, accused Oba Ewuare 11 of masterminding the incident, alleging that “the monarch has been making moves to annex ijaw enclave to his kingdom. The entourage and their chiefs were on their way to Gelegele for the coronation ceremony of the traditional ruler of Olodiama kingdom in Edo state, but we got information that there was a military siege in Gelegele throughout the night. From happenings we suspect that the Oba of Benin knows about the plot to stop the coronation. The Benin kingdom has been struggling to annex Olodiaman Kingdom as part of their territory because of the oil and the sea port recently sited in Gelegele. Olodiaman kingdom has always had king but there was an interregnum at a point but following interventions, the people agreed on a new king. So these monarchs from Bayelsa and Delta state were going to felicitate with the new monarch when information reached that no one was allowed in and out of the area. We are not happy with the situation, this is neither an issue of militancy or criminality. For the Federal government to reach the people it needs a head to talk to the people. Halting the installation is an aberration and something we cannot accept”.

Vanguard learnt that the state government became worried about the development in the area, when it got hint of the planned installation ceremony and alerted security agencies to stop what they described as illegality through a letter signed by the Secretary to the state Government, Osarodion Ogie. That was how security agents aborted the ceremony. The Benin monarch who was angered with the development reacted through his top chiefs, led by the Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe and the Esogban of the Kingdom, Chief David Edebiri, who declared that the Ijaws have no right over Gelegele land following a Supreme Court judgment of 1986. The Iyase recalled that the Ijaws took similar action then but the then Bendel state government stopped the action declaring that Gelegele land is an enclave of the Benin monarch. Chief Igbe gave historical background of what was said then by the Bendel state government on the issue. His words, “Perhaps it is necessary to tell you that in 1986, exactly what they are doing now happened. risonment for six months or two years respectively without an option of fine”.

Reacting on the current situation, Chief Igbe said, “Once again they did exactly what they did before. They want to install a new Chief by whatever name and the matter has come to the notice of our father Oba Ewuare 11. The attention of the palace of the Oba of Benin and his chiefs has been drawn to a congratulatory advert of Tuesday 14th November 2017, which purports to congratulate one Godwin Oguyebo on his coronation as Pere Olodiama Kingdom in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo state. We want to state this categorically, that Ovia North East is under the authority of the Oba of Benin who is the prescribed authority. We only have one monarch in the whole Edo South senatorial district, that is the Oba. The title Pere of Olodiama Kingdom does not exist. Gelegele is under the over lordship of the Oba of Benin and there cannot be two Monarchs in Benin. We would advise that any one who recognizes of purports to install or present himself to be installed as a traditional ruler outside the provisions of the Edo state Traditional Rulers and chiefs edict of 1979 is in violation, and would be arrested and prosecuted accordingly. We are advising the Pere of Gbaramatu, Delta state to avoid falling foul of the relevant laws of Edo state. The Ijaw people in Gelegele are free to live in the area just as any other ethnic groups that live in that axis. Any attempt to lay claim to non-existent title and community or village under any guise would be totally resisted. We call on law enforcement agencies to fully investigate and arrest those that are behind this abominable and sacrilegious act”.

Also reacting in a statement signed by the Secretary to the state Government, Osarodion Ogie, Governor Obaseki ordered security agents to arrest the perpetrators of the illegal act which he described as sacrilegious and an affront on the authority of the Oba of Benin. “the pronouncement constitutes an unprecedented affront to the long-settled culture, traditions and norms of our people. Government is of the view that the claim of such a non-existent title in a non-existent community under any guise is a clear and pre-meditated breach of our Laws particularly the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law of Edo State which said Law sets out the list of all recognised Traditional Rulers and Chiefs in Edo State. The said Law further makes it a criminal offence for any person to recognise or purport to install any person as a Traditional Ruler except as provided for under the Law and in fact makes it an offence for any unqualified person to present or permit to be so addressed.”

The Edo State SSG, maintained that the state government is of the view that “this act is intended to precipitate strife and contestation leading inevitably to the breakdown of Law and Order in our dear State.” He said in the light of the foregoing, Governor Godwin Obaseki has issued clear directives to the Law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies to take all steps to immediately abort the proposed or purported coronation anywhere within Edo State on the date proposed or on any other date whatsoever..Obaseki also directed law enforcement agencies to effect the immediate arrest and prosecution of all persons involved in the said coronation either as beneficiary, participant or sponsor, to the full extent of all extant laws, as the government and people of Edo State have always projected a peaceful and welcoming disposition to all persons living within its boundaries. “Edo State Government will not tolerate actions and pronouncements which seek to abuse the hospitality which our land offers. Let it be clearly noted that this Government will take all necessary steps to preserve our peace, enforce our Laws and defend our revered institutions. All those who intend to test the resolve of Government in this regard should be assured of the certainty that swift and severe sanctions will be the natural conserisonment for six months or two years respectively without an option of fine”.

Reacting on the current situation, Chief Igbe said, “Once again they did exactly what they did before. They want to install a new Chief by whatever name and the matter has come to the notice of our father Oba Ewuare 11. The attention of the palace of the Oba of Benin and his chiefs has been drawn to a congratulatory advert of Tuesday 14th November 2017, which purports to congratulate one Godwin Oguyebo on his coronation as Pere Olodiama Kingdom in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo state. We want to state this categorically, that Ovia North East is under the authority of the Oba of Benin who is the prescribed authority. We only have one monarch in the whole Edo South senatorial district, that is the Oba. The title Pere of Olodiama Kingdom does not exist. Gelegele is under the over lordship of the Oba of Benin and there cannot be two Monarchs in Benin. We would advise that any one who recognizes of purports to install or present himself to be installed as a traditional ruler outside the provisions of the Edo state Traditional Rulers and chiefs edict of 1979 is in violation, and would be arrested and prosecuted accordingly. We are advising the Pere of Gbaramatu, Delta state to avoid falling foul of the relevant laws of Edo state. The Ijaw people in Gelegele are free to live in the area just as any other ethnic groups that live in that axis. Any attempt to lay claim to non-existent title and community or village under any guise would be totally resisted. We call on law enforcement agencies to fully investigate and arrest those that are behind this abominable and sacrilegious act”.

Also reacting in a statement signed by the Secretary to the state Government, Osarodion Ogie, Governor Obaseki ordered security agents to arrest the perpetrators of the illegal act which he described as sacrilegious and an affront on the authority of the Oba of Benin. “the pronouncement constitutes an unprecedented affront to the long-settled culture, traditions and norms of our people. Government is of the view that the claim of such a non-existent title in a non-existent community under any guise is a clear and pre-meditated breach of our Laws particularly the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law of Edo State which said Law sets out the list of all recognised Traditional Rulers and Chiefs in Edo State. The said Law further makes it a criminal offence for any person to recognise or purport to install any person as a Traditional Ruler except as provided for under the Law and in fact makes it an offence for any unqualified person to present or permit to be so addressed.”

The Edo State SSG, maintained that the state government is of the view that “this act is intended to precipitate strife and contestation leading inevitably to the breakdown of Law and Order in our dear State.” He said in the light of the foregoing, Governor Godwin Obaseki has issued clear directives to the Law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies to take all steps to immediately abort the proposed coronation

://www.edoinsafehands.com/2017/11/insult-ijaw-want-to-have-seperate-oba.html?m=1

We have enough on our plate'in this state considering the spate of cultism, kidnapping and robbery/violence. Ijaw should not come and add their own

Its really stupid how the oba is trying to stop this coronation. Is the guy still living in the medieval age?

What is really Wong with this kings and uneccesary ego?

SpecialAdviser:
Its really stupid how the oba is trying to stop this coronation. Is the guy still living in the medieval age?

What is really Wong with this kings and uneccesary ego?

Is that all you can say? sorry o

let them settle it game of thrones style. the north vs kings landing

Oba of Benin is just suffering from insecurity. Oladiama is 100000% the ancestral home of Ijaws.

Long Live The Pere

TonyeBarcanista:
Oba of Benin is just suffering from insecurity. Oladiama is 100000% the ancestral home of Ijaws.

Long Live The Pere

every time I see ijaw thread I know you will be there

Hegehehe