Uncomfortable Neighbours

Adams Oshiomhole, Governor of Edo State

Edo state Governor, Adams Oshiomhole wades into the problem between the Binis and Ijaws in Ovia North-east and South-west of the state
By Walid Ogunseri, Benin
Following alleged attacks, and occupation of Bini villages in Ovia North-east and South-west Local Government Areas of Edo State by the Ijaws without provocation, the Binis penultimate week sought for state government intervention, and threatened to retaliate if the Ijaws refused to co-exist peacefully as tenant in Bini land.
Gelegele, one of the Ijaw settlements in Edo State is, no doubt, one of the ancient seaports which existed even before the coming of the colonial masters and long before the birth of Nigeria as a country.
Apart from the British expedition in Benin, it was one of the seaports through which the colonial masters on exploration and partition of Africa had access to the ancient Benin Kingdom.
However, there seems to be an uneasy calm at Gelegele and other Ijaw settlements in Ovia North-east and Ovia South West local government areas on right of governorship to the land.
The crisis between the Binis and Ijaws in Edo state over ownership of Land came to a head on Wednesday September 14, 2011 when a high-powered delegation of Enogies (Dukes) and Chiefs from Ovia North-east and Ovia south west local government of the state led by His Royal Highness,Prince Edun Akenzua, Enogie of Obazuwa made presentation to the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole at the Government House in Benin City seeking the intervention of the state government for a lasting end to the assault and abuses on the Binis by Ijaws in various communities.
Edun Akenzua said the group’s visit was necessitated by the persistent invasion of Bini communities by the Ijaws who in recent times have been unleashing series of attack on Bini people, maiming them, and destroying their properties as well as laying claim to their land. Prince Akenzua who gave a historic account of various settlers on Benin land said that like the Urhobos and Itsekiris among others, Ijaws who now lay claim to Bini communities of Agbonmoba, Ozomu, Igbobi, Ekete, Ite, Orogo, Ewuotu, Ekehuan, Okomu, Ikoro and Gelegele are tenants in Bini, adding that the first Ijaw man from history to settle in Gelegele was one Feti who suffered a misadventure in the sea where torrential waves swept away his makeshift home about 100 years ago. Feti obtained permission from one Okunseri, the then Priest of Ughoton, to settle there under traditional oath of allegiance.
However, in 1969, he said the Ijaws who had prior knowledge of oil discovery in the land, rose against the authority which erupted in a crisis at a time a Bini man, Ogbeifun Egharevba was the Odionwere of Gelegele.
The crisis prompted the setting up of an Administrative inquiry by the then Mid-west State Government of Brigadier General Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, headed by one S.Jamgbadi, a Senior District Officer and sat at Ekenwan. The report which was issued in 1970 states that the Ijaws qualify as tenants on the land, their long period of occupation notwithstanding.
The matter went through the High Court of Justice and Federal High Court of Appeal in Benin and Supreme Court in Lagos. The Binis, Prince Edun said, secured victory all the way.
He observed that the Ijaws who settled and are dotted along river banks in Bini Kingdom inspite of openness and acceptance of the Benin, have become a thorn in the flesh of Binis constituting themselves as aggressors and violators of organised norms. He alleged that the Ijaws have severally attacked, invaded and occupied Bini villages without provocation and retaliation for too long. He recalled that the house being erected by the Okao, Joseph Iyonmahan in 1985 was allegedly destroyed, adding that the newly installed Odionwere, Amos Enaigbe was also severely beaten when he attempted to build the Ogue-Edion in Gelegele. Akenzua revealed that the latest act of militancy and aggression took place on June 3, 2011, when the Ijaws attacked the community and abducted three of their men who were among those measuring land donated to the state government for the siting of the proposed model secondary school, the timely intervention of policemen at Iko where the men were taken saved an ugly situation.
The royal father further explained that, “for nearly 50 years these Ijaw settlers have perpetrated various forms of provocation against the Binis. We find it difficult to restrain ourselves from retaliating these unwarranted attacks”, warning that “if their provocative acts and militancy continue, we will have to defend ourselves and our land”.
In the same manner, the Ijaws in Edo through the Amakosowei of Gelegele community, Simeon Apohi have equally called on the state government to wade into the seeming crisis in the areas, over claim that the palace of the Oba of Benin imposed a non-Izon person as the traditional head of the community. Apohi said the word Okao makes no meaning to the inhabitants of Gelegele, who are mainly Ijaws in the area, adding that “Pere, Ama – Kosuewi” were the major traditional title men to head a community in their occupied land.
He emphasised that the issue of a traditional government was a serious one, which however demands that the ruler must be among the people who speak and understand the language. According to Apohi “a similar attempt was made in the past where a non-indigene wanted to impose himself as the traditional head, but was later resolved by the then military governor of the defunct Bendel State, Brigadier Tunde Ogbeha retired”.
Meanwhile, Governor Oshiomhole has assured that the government would find lasting solutions to the problem in the affected areas. He said he would draw the attention of the federal government to what has happened, noting that Edo state has enjoyed relative peace and government would do all in its powers to sustain that peace.
“I will take steps to invite the leadership of various Ijaw communities and talk on these issues to ensure that henceforth nobody does anything that would undermine positive peace and security”, he said.
The Governor however assured that no part of Bini kingdom would be ceded outside the control of the Oba of Benin.
According to the Governor, “the land forms part of Edo state and we have subscribed to oath of office in which we commit ourselves to protecting the interest of Edo state in which the Bini land is a substantial part of. We will give it all seriousness it deserves”.
He stated that the authority of Oba of Benin over any part of Bini land is unquestionable, adding, “it is something that we would defend now, and in the future.”