Crisis brews in Edo/Delta community over rulership
BENIN CITY – THERE is brewing crisis between the Benin and Itsekiri in Ologbo dukedom, Ikpoba-Okha local government area of Edo state which is border town between Edo and Delta and home to various ethnic groups like Benin, Itsekiri, Ijaw, Urobho and others.
The place is also the abode of the Iyatsere of Warri Kingdom in Delta State, Chief Johnson Atselghe while the paramount of the place is the Oba of Benin who is represented by the enogie (duke) HRH Owen Jason Akenzua.
Though Atseleghe had repeatedly pledged his loyalty and that of his people to the Oba of Benin, the latest crisis is the installation of one Pa Benson Otikpere as the odionwere (eldest man) of Ajamimogha on the 8th of November, 2024.
The indigenes of the area have therefore sent a Save Our Soul to the Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo and the Oba of Benin to urgently intervene in what is happening in the area before it degenerates into a crisis.
The communities in a press conference in Benin City said, for the past 10 years, there has not been peace in Ologbo.
In their statement signed by the Odionweres of Kolokolo, Aghomogha , Pa Samuel Asokuarien , Pa G. Nanna and four Elders in the communities, queried whether, “Is Chief Johnson Asteleghe now a Traditional Ruler in Ologbo Dukedom or a Chief in Delta State”?
They alleged that Chief Atseleghe “oppresses us in our various communities and he single handedly differs and disregards the instructions of the Enogie of Ologbo and our Revered Oba by swearing in his own Odionwere in a community that is under the control of the Oba of Benin and where there is an Enogie.
“We are hereby using this medium to call on the Enogie of Ologbo, the Oba of Benin kingdom to immediately facilitate the extradition of Chief Johnson Asteleghe from Ologbo Dukedom back to his village in Warri, Delta State to continue his activities over there and for peace to reign in Ologbo Dukedom in particular and Edo State in general as there cannot be two Enogie in a Dukedom.
“We appeal to our great Royal Majesty-Oba of Benin, and Edo State Government in particular and the world in general to come and save us.”
