The Benin Solidarity Movement (BSM) Thursday joined the people of Ologbo Dukedom to protest the alleged dissolution of Ologbo Community Relations Committee set up by the Enogie of Ologbo Dukedom, His Royal Highness by Hon. Andrew Uzamere member representing Ovia North -East Il Constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly.
Carrying placards with different inscriptions to the Palace of the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, the BSM appealed to the Royal father to intervene and called Hon. Uzamere to order.
In their protest letter signed by the President of BSM, Elder Curtis Ugbo and the Secretary-General, Ms Esohe Adun said they were joining the people of Ologbo to protest the attempt by the Edo State House of Assembly to usurp the powers of the Enogie of Ologbo.
“We are here at Your Majesty’s Palace to inform you of the undue negative influence of some perceived enemies and unscrupulous politicians wanting to use the instrumentality of the Legislative Arm of Edo State Government (specifically the Edo State House of Assembly) against the Enogie (Duke) of Ologbo Dukedom in particular and Benin Traditional Council (BTC) Law in general.
“We are joining the Ologbo people in protesting to Your Majesty as the only Traditionally Constituted Authority, Sole Custodian and the Overlord of all Communities in the Kingdom (Edo South Senatorial District of Edo State; And we are aware that the Edo State House of Assembly do not have such rights to constitute Community Relations Committee (CRC) in any Community in the Kingdom without the approval of the Enogie of the Dukedom as Yours Majesty’s Representive.
While stating that there are some Benin Chiefs aiding the plot to hijack the powers of the Enogie of Ologbo Dukedom, the BSM appealed to Oba Ewuare II to call those Chiefs to order to prevent brake down of law and order 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 Community and representative of Enogie of Ologbo, HRH Owenvbiugie Akenzua appealed to the Oba of Benin to intervene as the unilateral constitution of the Ologbo CRC by Hon. Andrew Uzamere was an attempt to hijack the powers of the Enogie of Ologbo who is the Oba’s representative in the community.
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 Benin High Court in Charge No: B/CD130C/20/B
Also speaking, Mr. Charles Asokuorami, the Community Liaison Officer (CLO ) on itshekiri matters to the Enogie of Ologbo Dukedom, said the Olu of Warri has sent an Itsekiri Chief in the person of Chief Oyemami Sua to represent the Itsekiri people at Ologbo under the leadership of the Enogie of Ologbo and wondered why Hon. Uzamere wants to changecall that.
“The Olu of has brought a Chief, Chief Oyemami Sua 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. He has pledged his allegiance to the Enogie of Ologbo, but Hon. Andrew Uzamere wants to hijack the power 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 Ho, 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”.
Receiving the protest letters from the representative of BSM and members of Ologbo Community, 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.