Edo women want Oba of Benin’s intervention in communal crisis

Ikpoba community women in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State have appealed to the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, to intervene in the community crisis.

The women made the appeal during a peaceful protest to the Oba in Benin City, following the emergence of Pa Nosakhare Obazee and Pa Otasowie Omigie, who they alleged are laying claim to the positions of Ohen’ Ikpoba (traditional priest of Ikpoba) and village head (Odionwere) in the community.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters at the weekend, Christiana Omusi, pleaded with Oba Ewuare II and the state government to call the actors in the crisis to order.

She maintained that such a move by the Oba and the state government will help to avert upheaval likely to undermine the peace in the locality, which she alleged, is gradually sliding into anarchy.

Omisu said they decided to take the bold steps as concerned mothers to cry to the relevant authorities over the leadership tussle in the community, which according to her, has witnessed several unrests, killings and disturbances.

“Your Royal Majesty, Ikpoba community is presently having four Okaighele (youth leaders) in the community parading themselves with their boys. We women (Ikhuevbo) have made several attempts to intervene in the crisis,” Omusi alleged.

Addressing the group on behalf of Oba palace, Chief Oghafua Oyeoba, who was joined by Chief Uyi Okungbowa (the Ogua of Benin), urged the people of Ikpoba community to shun violence and unite to preserve Edo heritage.

He assured that the palace would not encourage any act of brigandage in the state and cautioned that any individual or group of persons that undermine the peace of the state is incurring the wrath of the ancestors and God.