How to resolve Ogbe-Ijoh/Aladja crisis ― Traditional council

The solution, the council opined, lies on Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State to implement the white paper of the boundary dispute committee set up by the government.

It wondered why, after an initial progress was made by the State Surveyor General’s team to map out the disputed land as directed by Okowa, work has suddenly stopped because of the alleged threat by Aladja to cause mayhem if the land is demarcated.

It also opined that Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and other prominent Urhobo indigenes should stop fueling the crisis and issuing threats to scuttle the second term bid of Governor Okowa if he implements the report of the boundary dispute committee.

The Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Traditional Council, represented by Chief A. O. Jolomi, Chief Lucky Oromoni, Chief Samson Oyinni and Chief Michael Azosibe, gave the solutions at a press conference held on Friday at the palace of the Pere of Ogbe-Ijoh in Warri South West Local Government Area

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Secretary of the council, Chief Jolomi, who addressed the press on behalf of the council, said the lack of political will by Governor Okowa to resolve the crisis once and for all was responsible for the persistent killings and destruction of property between the two communities.

The council averred that the governor was afraid to implement the white paper outcome of the boundary dispute committee set up to find solutions to the perennial communal conflict due to his second term ambition.

Speaking on the way forward, the council called on Governor Okowa to, in compliance with his oath to protect lives and property of Deltans, implement the demarcation of the disputed area, identify the boundary between the two communities and halt the crisis.

The Ogbe-Ijoh traditional council decried its gradual decimation of lives and property of its people, and the seeming lack of political will by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to resolve the boundary dispute between Aladja and Ogbe Ijoh communities.

It also accused influential leaders of the Urhobo ethnic nationality of backing Aladja, an Urhobo town, to frustrate efforts by the governor to resolve the crisis permanently.

He bemoaned the paralyzed socio-economic activities in both communities spanning 31 months, noting that the numerous deaths and loss of property were outright unnecessary and avoidable.

The council, however, stated that the accusation coming from Aladja community that soldiers killed some of their indigenes was “the usual media propaganda,” having failed in their attempt to burn down Ogbe-Ijoh.

Setting the record straight on the October 22 mayhem that allegedly claimed nine lives on each side, the Ogbe Ijoh traditional council said Aladja assailants invaded Ogbe Ijoh and shot dead Febibogha Amawei, Dickson Ebediwei and John Tunbowei while 11 individuals sustained varying degrees of gunshot wounds.

It took a swipe on Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, whom it maintained, misrepresented facts on the recent crisis, saying his vituperations were products of emotions and sentiment unexpected of a public office holder.

Meanwhile, Chairman of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Governing Council, Hon. Friday Deingha has declared that the community is in dire need of peace.

Deingha, who was in a company of the fictional president of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Mr Eric Omare, said while it might not be wise to look away while lives are being decimated, the community was ready for peace.

He urged the Federal and state government to assist the warring community in bringing the boundary dispute to an end so that development and normal life could return to the communities.