It is annoying ,the recent Benin call to arrest and prosecute Ijaw monarchs, especially the most revered paramount ruler of Gbaramatu kingdom and the enviable Olodiama king, the Agadagba, Alagbabunafa lll over his recent coronation.
It may interest the public to noted that the ceremony of the coronation of Olodiama monarch was not botched as claimed by malicious and lackadaisical people from Benin enclave. We wish to however state unequivocally that the coronation of the Pere of Olodiama kingdom was done successfully.
It is provocative to have call for arrest of Ijaw monarchs by the Benins, such calls are capable of fanning ethnic war between the Ijaws and Benins. There is no record showing Olodiama being under Benin kingdom.
It may interest you to know that no Ijaw community in Edo state is listed among various communities that made up Benin kingdom. If there is any, I urge the Benin to publish such gazette comprising such villages.
Therefore, it is correct to say that the coronation of the pere of Olodiama kingdom does not breach any exist law of Edo State since the area is not covered by Benin traditional Gazette.
No such threat of arrest will deter Ijaws of Edo State from exercising their rights of ownership of such lands bequeathed to them by their Ijaw ancestors.
No Ijaw kingdom will fold arms over any attempt to arrest their monarch, such call is a threat to the existing peace in Niger Delta region.
In Edo state, every tribe has their own monarchs, why the Ijaw case is being different? We are being intimidated and marginalised.
It is my warning that security forces, the DSS and the police should tread with caution on the issues of Ijaws existence in Benin and that attempt to arrest Ijaw monarchs may defeat the ongoing peace efforts in the region.
Signed
Comrade Ozobo Austin
National president Ijaw People’s Development Initiative, IPDI
