Gelegele invasion: IYC talks tough, warns Oba of Benin to retrace steps
The Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Western Zone has sounded a note of warning to the reigning Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo Ewuare II over plans to forcefully site his palace at Gelegele community in Ovia North- East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The note of warning was contained in a strong worded statement issued to newsmen yesterday by the Western Zone Secretary of IYC, Comr. Doubra Collins Okotete, a copy of which was sent to The Liberator Newspaper.
Okotete had also called on security agencies and the Edo State Government to be careful in handling the Gelegele matter, stressing that the Ijaw nation will not watch in akinbo while other tribe is trying to annex its land.
It would be recalled that the Western Zone IYC comprises Ijaw Youths in Delta, Edo and Ondo states.
Comr. Doubra had noted that Gelegele is an ancient settlement of the Ijaw people of Olodiama, founded by PA OLUGBO IKPITI.
Meanwhile, the Niger Delta Youth Leader had maintained that the people of Gelegele are not alone on this looming battle as Ijaws are keenly watching every moves of the Oba of Benin and his people, vowing that the Ijaw nation will resist any attempt to posses any part of its land.
The statement reads: “Following the incessant harassment and invasion of the law abiding citizens of the peaceful Ijaw GELEGELE community in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, the umbrella body Ijaw Youth Council Western Zone ( Delta, Edo & Ondo States) has passed a sound warning to Oba N’ Edo Ewuare-11,Oba of Benin Kingdom and his kins men over their nefarious act by invading the law abiding Gelegele community in trying to map out a land to site a palace for the Oba, a community that doesn’t belongs to the Benin Kingdom.
“For the records once again, Gelegele (Gelegele Gbene) is one of the most ancient historical Ijaw communities of Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo state, Gelegele Community (Gelegele-gbene) is an ancient Olodiama Ijaw speaking Community founded by PA OLUGBO IKPITI several centuries ago.
“Gelegele is a boarder community between Ijaw communities and Edo communities on one hand and also it is a boundary community of Olodiama clan and Egbema clan of Delta and Edo states. The Bini Monarch has often time plan to assimilate Gelegele gbene, hence the incessant invasion and harassment meted on the Gelegele people by the Oba of Benin.
“The entire Ijaw Nation is aware of the Scheming, manipulations to lay claim to the Gelegele people and community, so as to share the wealth that accrues to the gelegele- community due to the attention being accorded by the Federal Government and the international community as an oil producing community in Edo state and the proposed establishment of a seaport and a new sattalite town in Gelegele Community. This continuos harassment and infernal act against the law abiding gelegele people is truly a call for war and the Ijaw Youth Council is gradually losing its patience over the continuous harassment meted on the GELEGELE community. Let it be known to the entire world that Ijaw people has never been conquered in the history of creation and that the Oba and his kins men are only trying the patience of the Ijaw people.
“Depsite several complains lodged by the GELEGELE community to the Edo State Government and Security Agencies, it’s obvious that the security agencies are aiding the odious act repeatedly exercised by the Oba Edo Ewuare 11. We stand not only to condemn the said act but to also sound a warning to stop forthwith.
“Let it be known that the GELEGELE people are not alone. They belong to Ijaw Nation. Therefore, the Ijaw Youth Council and entire Ijaw Nation shall resist and defend our people “the GELEGELE community with the last tip of our blood. The Ijaw people are peaceful and law abiding people, but, our simplicity should not be taking for granted.” The Western Zone IYC stated.
