There was tension in Uvwie Kingdom in Delta State as Indigenes staged a peaceful protest over the proposed visit by the Olu of Warri Kingdom,HRM. Ogiame Atuwatse III to his subjects in Ugbonuohworu popularly known as Ugbolokposo Community in Uvwie Local Government area
The protesters urged the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori led Delta State Government to intervene on the matter to prevent break down of law and order
The peaceful protesters which comprised youth leaders, Egwheyare R’ Uvwie (Women Group), girls and some elders said, they cannot afford to have two kings in Uvwie Kingdom. They began the protest from Erovie Community in Effurun and chanted solidarity songs.
The protesters also carry placards with inscriptions such as,”Uvwie say’s No to Olu visit”,”Uvwie is not Itsekiri land”,”Olu visit to Uvwie is not allowed”,We need peace in Uvwie Kingdom”. Others include,”Ugbonuohworu is Uvwie Community in Uvwie Kingdom”,”There is one King in Uvwie Kingdom” and “This is Uvwie Kingdom.
The Chairman of Erovwie Community in Uvwie Kingdom, Chief Thomas Eyejewefe JP who spoke on behalf of the protesters said they staged the protest because the Itskeris alleged claim of Ugbonuohworu as part their settlement saying the community was part of Etche Erovie in Uvwie Kingdom.
He said further,”We’ve been trying to make peace all these while but the information reaching us is that they’ve decided that the Olu of Itsekiri is coming to Ugbonuohworu to come and pay a visit.
“We the Uvwie people, we will not accept that. We are peace loving people. We don’t have issues with Ugbonuohworu for decades but they’ve been pushing us to the wall and today, we want to send this as a warning.
“We are calling on the State Government and Federal Government to take notice of the excesses of the Itsekiri people in Uvwie land. Uvwie land belongs to Uvwie. We have only one King. We have the Ovie of Uvwie. We don’t have two Monarchs in Uvwie land.
“We want to use this medium to urged the state government to intervene and stop the Olu of Itsekiri from coming to Uvwie land. As courtesy demands, he(Olu) is supposed to have gone to the palace to visit from there, he can go and see his children in Uvwie Community. Not for him to go to Ugbonuohworu.”
Eyejewefe pointed out that Ugbonuohworu is surrounded by Erovie, Okoribi, Ebrumede, Okuatata, Ugbomoro and Iteregbi Communities in Uvwie Kingdom.
“So, We want to sound this as a warning. The quiet man is not a lazy man. Some years ago, if we had listened to strangers or outsiders, we don’t think this place should be existing by now.
“He should not take our simplicity for being stupid or for being lazy. We need peace. Let them tow the line of peace. We’ve been following peace with them. Our women, our mothers are out for a peaceful demonstration.”
The Chairman of Ugbomro Community in Uvwie Community, Hon.(Chief) Ese Winfrey Ohwojaraye in a chat with newsmen said,”We want to say No to the proposed visit of the Olu of Itsekiri to Uvwie Kingdom. This is a clear indication and a ploy to want to ferment trouble in peaceful Uvwie Kingdom.
“Uvwie Kingdom does not have two kings. We only have one King. Going by what is on ground now, the plan of the Olu of Itsekiri want to visit his people in Uvwie Kingdom without the consent of the Kingdom is a slight on the Uvwie people.
“So, we are using this medium to call on the State Government to intervene and call the Olu to order to stop his proposed visit to Uvwie Land so as not to cause mayhem in the Uvwie Kingdom.”
Ohwojaraye also appealed to the Uvwie Indigenes to remain calm and law abiding in the face of any provocation saying,”We are here to send a signal to the Itsekiris to stop the proposed visit of the Olu to Uvwie Kingdom.
“Uvwie people will not fold their hands to have another king and a settlement in Uvwie Kingdom” just as he noted that Ugbonuohworu is in Uvwie Land.
“We want to say No to any form of intrusion by any other king or Kingdom.”
Ejedegba Abrahama Mamekpe and Elizabeth Egamurumu also aligned themselves with the position of Chief Thomas Eyejewefe and Hon.(Chief) Ese Winfrey Ohwojaraye as they kicked against the proposed visit.
