…….appeal to Oba Ewure to intervene
The indigenes of Ologbo Dukedom in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State trooped out in their numbers on Thursday, 4 July to protest the alleged dissolution of the Community Relations Committee (CRC) constituted by the Enogie of Ologbo, and the COUNCIL of ELDERS, Ologbo Dukedom, by Hon. Andrew Uzamere, member of Edo State House of Assembly representing Ovia North East Two Constituency
The protesters including members from the various communities at OLOGBO dukedom protested to the Palace of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II carrying various placards of different inscriptions accused Hon. Uzamere of reconstituting the CRC of Ologbo and making himself a co-chairman of the Committee and also including Chief Johnson Atseleghe, the Iyasere of Warri Kingdom against the rightful choice of the Itsekiri people resident at Ologbo.
Speaking on behalf of Ologbo Community while handing over their letter of protest to Chief Uyi Okungbowa who represented the Benin Monarch, the Secretary of Ologbo Dukedom, Deacon Friday Osazuwa appealed to the Oba of Benin to intervene as the constitution of the Ologbo CRC by Hon. Andrew Uzamere was an attempt to usurp the authority of the Enogie of Ologbo who is the representative of Oba of Benin.
According to him, “We your subjects from Ologbo Community are here to formally report to Your Royal Majesty of the dissolution of the Community Relations Committee duly constituted by your appointee, the Enogie of Ologbo and the Council of Elders of Ologbo Community by Hon. Andrew Uzamere using the instrumentality of his position as honourable member of the House of Assembly to interfere in the internal affairs of Ologbo Community.
“Having dissolved the Community Relations Committee (CRC), he single handedly added his own name and that of Chief Johnson Atseleghe, the Iyasere of Warri Kingdom in Delta State to the CRC list when, he Honourable Andrew Uzamere is not from Ologbo and without the consent of the Enogie and the Council of Elders of Ologbo Community.
“We are here to formally report the illegal activities of Hon. Andrew Uzamere and to appeal for your Royal Majesty intervention”.
Also speaking, Mrs. Felicia Omorodion pointed out that Chief Johnson Atseleghe can no longer represent the Itsekiri people at Ologbo as he is under going trial for the alleged murder of her son, Okuomose Omorodion in a Benin High Court in Charge No: B/CD130C/20/B
Also speaking, Mr. Charles Asokuorami, the Community Liaison Officer (CLO ) on Itsekiris matters to the Enogie of Ologbo Dukedom, said the Olu of Warri has sent an Itsekiri Chief in the person of Chief Oyemami Shuwa to represent the Itsekiri people at Ologbo under the leadership of the Enogie of Ologbo and wondered why Hon. Uzamere wants to change all that.
“The Olu of Warri has brought a Chief, Chief Oyemami Shuwa for us to work with. We want to work with Chief Oyemami as the Chief from Warri and he is ready to work with the Enogie of Ologbo, but Hon. Andrew Uzamere wants to hijack the authority of the Enogie of Ologbo and we the Itsekiris say no”.
On his part, Elder Benson Oyokotse from Kolokolo in Ologbo Dukedom berated the constitution of the CRC by Hon Uzamere by jetisoning those who were duly elected by his community. He wondered why Hon. Uzamere will say the duly elected Executive of Kolokolo community at Ologbo should not be recognised.
“The Enogie of Ologbo who is the representative of the Oba of Benin recognises the Kolokolo Community Executive and that means the Oba of Benin recognises the executive. We are calling on our Royal Father, the Oba of Benin to intervene”.
Ologbo Dukedom, appealed to Oba Ewuare II to call those persons to order to prevent break down of law and order at Ologbo.
Receiving the protest letters from the protesting members of Ologbo Dukedom, representative of the Benin Monarch, Chief Uyi Okungbowa assured that their messages will be related to Oba Ewuare II just as the protest letters are delivered.
Attempts to get the reaction of Hon. Andrew Uzamere failed as the sentry at the Edo State House of Assembly said he was not around and couldn’t avail us his phone number to call him for his reaction.