Ambassador Billy Oriaikhi, the Okaighele of Ute community in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State, has expressed profound appreciation to the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II for reaffirming his position as the legitimate traditional leader of the community.
Oriaikhi made the remarks on Thursday, August 27, after he and other Okaegheles in Uhunmwode were invited to the palace of the Oba of Benin to address some issues in Uhunmwode Local Government Area and the issue surrounding the leadership crisis that had previously rocked Ute community.
According to him, the palace, in addressing the matter for which they were invited, reaffirmed his position as the legitimate Okaighele of Ute.
He described the development as another victory and used the opportunity to express his gratitude to the Oba of Benin and the palace chiefs for their intervention.
“I want to use this opportunity to thank the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II and the palace chiefs for the victory they have given me again today,” Oriaikhi said.
He added: “I want to sincerely thank the Oba of Benin and I want to also promise to make sure that there is peace in my community.”
Oriaikhi who was addressed as the traditional head of the community said the pronouncement by the palace had provided clarity on the issue of community leadership, stressing that no individual had the authority to unilaterally assume the position of Okaighele.
Oriaikhi said the palace had made it “known and clear that nobody has the right to impose himself on the community as Okaighele,” describing the clarification as an important step towards resolving the lingering crisis.
He, however, said his priority following the palace intervention would not be to deepen divisions but to work towards reconciliation and lasting peace in Ute.
“The palace has made it known and clear that nobody has the right to impose himself on the community as Okaighele, which they have just addressed,” he said.
“By so doing, I will make sure I call on the self-imposed Okaeghele and every member of the community to come together to ensure there is peace in the community.”
He said the time had come for all parties involved in the dispute to put the crisis behind them and work together for the development of the community.
Oriaikhi further described the situation as one of “no victor, no vanquish,” signalling his readiness to move beyond the dispute and embrace reconciliation in the interest of Ute community.
His comments came against the backdrop of a prolonged disagreement over the leadership of the community, which had generated tension among residents and stakeholders.
With the palace reaffirming Oriaikhi’s legitimacy, the Okaighele said he was committed to using the development as an opportunity to foster unity rather than triumphalism.
He reiterated his appreciation to the Oba of Benin and the palace chiefs for their intervention, while pledging to work with members of the community to restore peace and ensure that the leadership issue no longer becomes a source of division.
For Oriaikhi, the palace’s intervention has therefore provided not only a reaffirmation of his position but also an opportunity for the community to turn a new page.
The task ahead, he suggested, is now to translate the palace’s clarification into reconciliation, unity and peace among the people of Ute.