Following the dissolution of the Uzanu Clan by the Edo State Government, last week, a group, the Afenmai Patriotic Development Association, (APDA), has called for a peaceful resolution of the boundary crisis between the people of Uzanu and Igiode of Etsako East Local Government Area.
The state government, had while dissolving the Uzanu Clan, had hinged its action on the protracted boundary crisis between Uzanu and Igiode, especially on the alleged recalcitrant posture of the Oloila, the traditional ruler of Uzanu, who was dethroned over allegation that he had not complied with directives to ensure peace in the area.
The crisis had earlier led to the arrest and detention of some elders from the community and a threat of warrant of arrest on the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba.
In a press statement issued, on Wednesday, and endorsed by the President and General Secretary of the group, Kennedy Izuagbe and Lucky Anyia respectively, appealed to the government to enable the association to wade into the crisis which it said was between “two brotherly, Afenmai Communities.”
The statement said there had been several efforts in the past to resolve the over 50 years dispute which efforts they said, “we’re moving steadily to a seamless resolution of the crisis including withdrawal of all court cases before the recent government intervention.
“We, however, strongly appeal to the Edo state Governor, His Excellency, Mr Godwin Obaseki, to rescind the decision to revoke the clanship of Uzanu and the dethronement of its king. The Association is of the opinion that this dethronement of Uzanu Oliola and clan revocation is not likely to bring about the much-needed peace,” the group submitted.
“The Association believes that these are two communities that have lived together as one for centuries, therefore a border dispute should not lead to revocation of clanship that had earlier been properly instituted and duly gazetted. We, therefore, appeal that the Government takes a second look at the revocation of the South East Uneme Clan as it has no direct bearing on the boundary matter,” APDA reiterated.
The statement said the two communities had produced prominent Nigerians including the current senator representing Edo North, Francis Alimikhena and Agba.
“The Afenmai Patriotic Development Association hereby appeals to the Edo State Government to give the Association the opportunity to convene a meeting between Uzanu and Igiode communities to amicably resolve this matter as we believe we have the capacity to do so,” it pleaded.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
Group pleads for dissolved Edo community
We Have Not Had Water Supply In Months ― Abeokuta Residents
In spite of the huge investment in the water sector by the government and international organisations, water scarcity has grown to become a perennial nightmare for residents of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. This report x-rays the lives and experiences of residents in getting clean, potable and affordable water amidst the surge of COVID-19 cases in the state. Group pleads for dissolved Edo community
and then