Edo State Ijaw: Tribal Supremacy and deprivation of the Ijaw people, Urges Governor Monday Okpebholo to Caution Groups to Stop inciting Crisis,

By EgbemaVoice,

The Focus Egbema Group (FEG), led by its National Coordinator, Comrade Mingo Meshach Sayami Ogumaka, has strongly condemned the ongoing marginalization and deprivation of the Ijaw people in Edo State. The group expressed deep concern over recent events, including protests and placard displays declaring, “Egbema is not Benin land” and “Okomu is not Benin land,” Gbelegele is Benin land, no other king in Benin, which have gone viral on social media. These protests, staged outside the Edo State House of Assembly, highlight the growing frustration among the Ijaw people over land ownership claims and systemic neglect.

He said, the Ijaw people of Edo State, particularly in Ovia South-West Ikpoba okha and Ovia North-East Local Government Areas, have faced systemic underdevelopment and deprivation for decades. Despite their significant contributions to the state’s economy and population, they have been denied fair representation and basic entitlements.

Historically, Ovia South-West and Ovia North-East were proposed as Ijaw-dominated local government areas during the creation of Edo State. However, political maneuvering moved the council headquarters to towns outside Ijaw control, disenfranchising the Ijaw people and limiting their participation in governance and electoral processes.

The Ijaw traditional rulers have been denied staff of office and their constitutionally mandated three percent allocation. This lack of recognition undermines their authority and creates a leadership vacuum in Ijaw communities.

The influence of the Obaship system has allegedly been used to suppress Ijaw kingship and traditions, further exacerbating tensions.

He Reiterated that, Despite being home to significant oil and gas reserves, the Ijaw communities in Edo State remain underdeveloped. Key infrastructural projects, such as roads and social amenities, are either abandoned or nonexistent, perpetuating hardship among the people.

Comrade Mingo emphasized that Nigeria’s constitution provides for governance through elected officials, not traditional rulers. Local government chairmen and councilors are responsible for administering local governance, while kings are custodians of culture and tradition within their ethnic communities. The attempt to impose the authority of the Oba of Benin over Ijaw communities is not only unconstitutional but also an affront to the principles of equity and justice.

“Every ethnic group has its own traditions and kings. The Oba of Benin is a revered ruler for the Bini people, just as the Agadagba is the custodian of Ijaw traditions. To impose one king’s authority over another ethnic group is an abomination, a violation of the Nigerian Constitution, and a recipe for crisis,” Comrade Mingo stated.

The Focus Egbema Group is calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene in the crisis and ensure justice for the Ijaw people of Edo State. As a leader committed to unity and progress, the President is urged to:

1. Address Systemic Marginalization:

Direct the Edo State Government to recognize the rights of Ijaw communities and their traditional rulers, including the issuance of staff of office and equitable allocation of resources.

2. Ensure Fair Representation:

Facilitate the creation of Ijaw-dominated local government areas in line with historical proposals and demographic realities.

3. Promote Development:

Mandate the execution of critical infrastructural projects in Ijaw communities, such as the completion of the Udo-Ofunama road and provision of basic amenities.

4. Foster Peace and Unity:

Call on all ethnic groups in Edo State to respect each other’s cultural and territorial integrity and desist from actions that could incite conflict.

5. Enforce Constitutional Governance:

Reiterate that governance in Nigeria is vested in elected officials, not traditional rulers, and ensure that no king wields authority over another ethnic group.

Therefore, the Edo State belongs to all its ethnic nationalities, and no single group should dominate or suppress others. Tribal supremacy is a violation of the Nigerian Constitution and a threat to national unity. We call on Governor Monday Okpebholo to caution those fanning the flames of ethnic crisis and ensure that justice prevails for all citizens of the state.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s intervention at this critical moment will not only restore justice but also reaffirm the federal government’s commitment to equity, peace, and the rule of law.

Signed,

Comrade Mingo Meshach Sayami Ogumaka

National Coordinator, Focus Egbema Group (FEG)