EDO STATE IS OUR NEXT BATTLEGROUND: FOCUS EGBEMA GROUP ACCUSES GOVERNOR MONDAY OKPEBHOLO OF DEEPENING ETHNIC TENSIONS
Calls for Equal Recognition, Protection of Ijaw Traditional Institutions and Justice for Edo State’s Indigenous Communities
By EgbemaVoice,
BENIN CITY, EDO STATE — The Focus Egbema Group (FEG) has raised strong concerns over what it describes as growing ethnic tension, political marginalisation and unequal treatment of indigenous ethnic groups in Edo State, particularly in the Edo South Senatorial District.
In a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Comrade Mingo Friday Sayami Ogumaka, the group accused the Edo State Government under Governor Monday Okpebholo of allowing traditional and political structures to become instruments of ethnic domination, rather than promoting equality, justice and peaceful coexistence among the various ethnic nationalities that make up the state.
According to the group, Edo State is a multi-ethnic society comprising different peoples, cultures, traditional institutions and historical communities. It therefore argued that no single ethnic group or traditional institution should be permitted to exercise undue influence over the affairs, rights and traditional institutions of other indigenous peoples.
FEG particularly questioned what it described as the increasing influence of the Benin traditional institution over the affairs of other ethnic nationalities in Edo South.
The group said it was concerned by what it regards as the emergence of a system in which the traditional institution of the Oba of Benin is given excessive influence in matters affecting other indigenous communities, including the traditional institutions of the Ijaw people.
“Edo State belongs to all its indigenous peoples. No ethnic nationality should be treated as superior to another, and no traditional institution should be allowed to become a substitute for constitutional government,” Ogumaka said.
IJAW TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS MUST BE RECOGNISED
The Focus Egbema Group further alleged that Ijaw traditional rulers in Edo State have, over the years, faced marginalisation and institutional neglect, including concerns surrounding recognition and the conferment of official traditional instruments of office.
The group called on the Edo State Government to urgently review the situation and ensure that legitimate traditional rulers from the Ijaw communities receive equal recognition and respect within the constitutional and administrative framework of the state.
FEG also condemned alleged statements attributed to some individuals associated with the Benin traditional establishment describing Ijaw people as “tenants” in Edo State.
The group described such language as unacceptable and provocative, stressing that historical disagreements must not be weaponised to create hostility between indigenous communities.
“The Ijaw people are not tenants in their ancestral communities. Our people have longstanding historical settlements and cultural institutions in the areas they occupy today. Historical questions should be subjected to credible research and dialogue, not inflammatory declarations or ethnic intimidation,” the statement said.
THE IJAW FIVE KINGDOMS IN EDO STATE
According to FEG, the Ijaw communities of Edo State are concentrated across Ovia South-West, Ovia North-East and Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Areas, where the group says several Ijaw communities and traditional institutions have continued to contribute to the social and economic development of the state.
The organisation argued that the Ijaw communities should not only be recognised for their contributions to Edo State's economy but should also enjoy equal political representation, cultural recognition, security and development.
FEG also stressed that the presence of oil and other natural resources in areas inhabited by Ijaw communities places a greater responsibility on government to ensure that those communities receive meaningful development and environmental protection.
“ENOUGH IS ENOUGH” — GROUP BACKS CALL FOR JUSTICE
The group said it identifies with the recent warning attributed to His Royal Majesty Maj. (Dr.) Asari Dokubo concerning the worsening grievances of Ijaw people in Edo State.
However, FEG clarified that its position is a call for lawful, peaceful and organised resistance to injustice, rather than violence.
“When we say Edo State is our next battleground, we are speaking about the battle for justice, equality, constitutional rights, political participation and recognition. We are not calling for bloodshed or attacks against any ethnic group. The Ijaw struggle must be pursued through lawful advocacy, unity, dialogue and democratic action,” Ogumaka stated.
The organisation warned that continued neglect of legitimate grievances could deepen mistrust among ethnic communities and create unnecessary instability.
CALL TO IJAW LEADERS AND YOUTHS
FEG called on Ijaw traditional rulers, political leaders, youth organisations, women groups, professionals and civil society organisations across Edo State to unite around a peaceful campaign for equality and justice.
The group urged Ijaw leaders to establish stronger mechanisms for dialogue with the Edo State Government and other ethnic nationalities, while documenting historical, cultural and constitutional concerns through credible evidence.
It also appealed to Ijaw youths to remain disciplined and avoid inflammatory language, physical confrontation or actions capable of being exploited to portray the Ijaw struggle as a violent campaign.
CALL ON GOVERNOR OKPEBHOLO
The Focus Egbema Group called on Governor Monday Okpebholo to demonstrate that his administration belongs to every ethnic nationality in Edo State by taking concrete steps to address concerns of marginalisation.
Among its demands, the group called for:
1. Equal recognition and protection of all legitimate traditional institutions in Edo State.
2. An end to alleged political and traditional marginalisation of Ijaw communities.
3. A transparent review of the relationship between the state government and traditional councils.
4. Respect for the constitutional rights of every ethnic nationality.
5. Greater political inclusion of Ijaw communities in government appointments and decision-making.
6. Meaningful development of Ijaw communities in Ovia South-West, Ovia North-East and Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Areas.
7. A structured dialogue involving the Edo State Government, Ijaw traditional rulers, community leaders and other ethnic nationalities.
8. An end to inflammatory statements capable of portraying one indigenous community as superior to another.
“WE SEEK JUSTICE, NOT WAR”
Ogumaka said the Ijaw people should not be forced into a situation where they must continuously struggle for recognition and dignity in a state where they have historically maintained communities and contributed to the economy.
“Our message is simple: we seek justice, not war; equality, not domination; recognition, not intimidation; and peaceful coexistence, not ethnic confrontation. But we will not remain silent when the rights and dignity of our people are threatened.”
The group urged Governor Okpebholo to rise above ethnic considerations and become a governor for all the people of Edo State.
FEG maintained that the future of Edo State depends on mutual respect among its diverse peoples and warned that government must not allow ethnic grievances to deteriorate into open confrontation.
The organisation therefore called for an immediate Edo State Inter-Ethnic Peace and Justice Dialogue, involving all major ethnic nationalities, traditional institutions, youth representatives, women leaders, civil society organisations and the state government.
“Edo State must not become a theatre of ethnic confrontation. Let it instead become a model of justice, equality and peaceful coexistence. The time to address these grievances is now.”
— Comrade Mingo Friday Sayami Ogumaka
National Coordinator, Focus Egbema Group (FEG)
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