Edo Ijaw kingdoms Raises Alarm: As Soron Ibe demands an end to marginalisation, deprivation and balkanisation of Egbema, Olodiama, Okomu, Gbaraun and Furupagha,

Edo Ijaw kingdoms Raises Alarm: As Soron Ibe demands an end to marginalisation, deprivation and balkanisation of Egbema, Olodiama, Okomu, Gbaraun and Furupagha

Threat to Peaceful Coexistence: A Recipe for Inter-Ethnic Tension

By EgbemaVoice, 

On behalf of the Traditional Rulers, Chiefs, Amaokosuabu (Community Heads), community leaders and the good people of the Egbema, Olodiama, Okomu, Gbaraun and Furupagha Kingdoms of Edo State, representing hundreds of communities spread across Ovia South-West, Ovia North-East and Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Areas, we wish to draw the attention of the Federal Government, Edo State Government, relevant authorities, civil society organisations and the international community to issues which, in our view, require urgent attention.

The Soron Ibe Ijaw Kingdoms of Edo State have remained peaceful and responsible stakeholders in the development of Edo State and Nigeria. However, we are increasingly concerned about what we perceive as persistent political, cultural and developmental marginalisation, as well as attempts to weaken the identity and collective voice of indigenous Ijaw communities in Edo State.

We are particularly concerned about recent developments in the public space which, in our view, have the potential to undermine peaceful coexistence between the Ijaw and Bini communities if not urgently addressed through dialogue and responsible leadership.

In recent times, social and conventional media platforms have witnessed publications and commentaries containing inflammatory and derogatory descriptions of indigenous Ijaw communities, with terms such as “captives,” “settlers,” “slaves” and “tenants” reportedly being used against our people.

We strongly reject such descriptions as inconsistent with the dignity of indigenous communities and harmful to peaceful inter-ethnic relations.

We are particularly concerned that similar language was reportedly heard during discussions surrounding the South-South Joint Committee hearings on the proposed creation of states, including proceedings in Calabar and Yenagoa.

We call on all stakeholders to refrain from language capable of deepening ethnic suspicion, hostility or division. Our attention was also drawn to public interventions credited to Hon. Omosede Igbinedion, Hon. Murphy Osaro Omoruyi and Hon. Esosa Iyawe concerning the proposed creation of a new state and the question of whether any part of Edo State should be included in a proposed Toru-Ibe State.

The right of individuals and elected representatives to express their views on constitutional and territorial matters is recognised. However, we believe such debates must be conducted responsibly and without language or actions that could portray indigenous communities as enemies of one another.

We therefore urge political actors and community leaders to approach the state-creation debate with restraint, factual accuracy and respect for the identities and legitimate aspirations of all indigenous peoples concerned.

We are equally concerned about statements and publications attributed to various youth and pressure groups, including the Aiguobasimwin Movement, Otedo Youths and Benin Solidarity Movement, which we believe have contributed to an increasingly tense public atmosphere.

Where statements are alleged to contain threats of violence or hostility against indigenous Ijaw communities, the appropriate security and law-enforcement authorities should investigate such allegations impartially and in accordance with the law.

No ethnic group should be collectively held responsible for the statements of individuals or organisations. We are also aware of the motion reportedly moved by Hon. Billy Osawaru on the floor of the House of Representatives concerning statements attributed to His Majesty Asar Dokubo.

Our position is that public statements, particularly those made in the context of political or constitutional agitation, should be interpreted accurately and within their proper context.

We are concerned that interpreting a broad political statement as a direct call for violence, without considering the context in which it was made, could further inflame an already sensitive situation.

At the same time, we affirm that disagreements over political aspirations, self-determination, state creation or resource control must never become justification for violence against any ethnic group.

The Ijaw people of Edo State are not strangers or recent arrivals in the territories where our communities are located. Our traditional institutions, ancestral settlements, cultural heritage and longstanding community structures form part of the historical tapestry of the region.

The Soron Ibe Ijaw Kingdoms therefore seek recognition, dignity, inclusion and equitable treatment within the constitutional framework of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Our demand is not for conflict with our neighbours.

Our demand is for justice, recognition, peaceful coexistence, development and respect for our traditional and cultural identity.

We call on the Edo State Government, the Palace of the Oba of Benin, traditional institutions, political leaders, youth organisations and community leaders to exercise restraint and avoid statements capable of creating ethnic divisions.

We equally call on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to pay close attention to the grievances of indigenous communities and provide appropriate platforms for dialogue.

Where there are competing historical claims, they should be subjected to evidence, historical records, constitutional provisions and peaceful dialogue—not threats, insults or ethnic mobilisation.

We therefore respectfully demand:

1. An immediate cessation of inflammatory and derogatory rhetoric against indigenous Ijaw communities in Edo State.

2. Recognition and respect for the traditional identity and institutions of the Egbema, Olodiama, Okomu, Gbaraun and Furupagha Kingdoms.

3. A structured dialogue involving the Edo State Government, relevant traditional institutions, representatives of the Soron Ibe Ijaw Kingdoms and other stakeholders.

4. Equitable development and government presence in the affected Ijaw communities.

5. An impartial investigation into any credible allegation of threats or incitement to violence, irrespective of the ethnic or political identity of those involved.

6. Responsible handling of the state-creation debate, ensuring that legitimate constitutional aspirations do not become a source of ethnic confrontation.

7. Respect for the constitutional rights of indigenous communities to express their political, cultural and developmental aspirations peacefully.

The Soron Ibe Ijaw Kingdoms remain committed to peaceful coexistence with the Bini people and all other ethnic nationalities in Edo State.

We do not seek confrontation.

We do not advocate violence.

We do not encourage attacks against any community.

But we shall continue to use lawful and democratic means to demand recognition, justice, equality, development and protection of the legitimate interests of our people.

We therefore call on all parties to lower the temperature, reject hate speech and embrace dialogue.

Peace must be built on justice, mutual respect and recognition of the dignity of every indigenous community.

The Soron Ibe Ijaw Kingdoms stand ready for meaningful dialogue with the Edo State Government, the Palace of the Oba of Benin, the Federal Government, the National Assembly and all relevant stakeholders towards finding peaceful and lasting solutions to the issues raised in this press conference. Statement partly Read 

WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE 

SORON IBE IJAW KINGDOMS- EGBEMA, OLODIAMA, OMOMU, GBARAN AND FURUPSGHA KINGDOMS OF EDO STATE - ON PERSISTENT DEPRIVATION AND BALKANIZATION BY THE EDO STATE GOVERNMENT IN CONVINCE WITH THE PALACE OF THE OBA OF BENIN.

THREAT TO PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE: A RECIPE FOR INTER-ETHNIC CRISIS 

On behalf of the traditional Rulers, Chiefs, the Amaokosuabu ( community Heads) and the good people of Egbema, Olodiama, Okomu, Furupagha and Gbaraun kingdoms with over five hundred {500} communities Balkanized into three {3} Local government areas of Ovia south-west, Ovia North East andIkpoba-Okha LGAS of Edo State, we wish to state as follows.

1. INTRODUCTION 

IN recent times, the social and conventional media have been washed with various inflammatory, libelous, defamatory and repulsive posts against us by our neighbours of Bini extraction using on printable labels like captives, settlers , slaves, tenants, etc, all of which were freely used during the south-south joint committee hearing in Calabar and Yenaguao on the proposed creation of states.

2. Hon Omosede Igbinedion, Hon Murphy Osaro Omoruyi and Esosa Iyawe where they conspired amongst themselves to move a motion in the house of representatives rejecting the proposal for the creation of the state of ceding any part of Edo State to be added to the proposed Toru-Ibe state.