Indigenous people of the Oligbio Quarters of Ogbe-Iyase in Akwukwu-Igbo Community in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State has called on the State Governor, Rt Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori to defend their lands against land barons and avert a looming crisis in the community.
The natives on Monday, led a peaceful protest with placards to the Government House and the House of Assembly Complex in Asaba, carrying placards with various inscriptions such as; “Delta State Government rescue Akwukwu-Igbo from hands of Fred Ajudua”, “Fred Ajudua leave Okotomi land in Akwukwu-Igbo alone”, “Delta State House of Assembly save Okotomi land from Fred Ajudua”.
“We reject power of attorney in Okotomi land of Akwukwu-Igbo”; “Governor Sheriff save our land”; “Fred Ajudua, don’t dare us. Relocate yourself to Ibusa”; Fred Ajudua, leave our land for us”; “Akwukwu-Igbo is about to explode, Delta State Government come to our rescue”.
Revd. James Ofuasia, speaking on behalf of the protesters claimed that the ownership of the Okotomi Farmlands was threatened by the connivance of some elements within the community.
According to Ofuasia, three families, Isitua, and Ofuasia jointly owned the said Okotomi Farmlands, stressing that the estate was not a communal property and not within the jurisdiction of the eldest man in the community.
“There is some kind of underground arrangement to issue the Power of Attorney to Chief Fred Ajudua from Ibusa to take over our lands.
“We would not Akwukwu to experience the kind of crisis suffered in other communities, The eldest man in the community says that he is in charge of all the lands in the community.
“That is not very correct because he is in charge of communal lands, not personal or family lands. Okotomi Farmlands are not communal lands and the eldest man cannot lay claim to these lands or give Fred Ajudua the Power of Attorney over the Okotomi Farmlands.
“Therefore, we have come to seek the intervention of the state government because we do not want the crisis in other communities to happen in Akwukwu-Igbo. We cannot afford to kill ourselves over lands. So we need to settle this amicably,” Ofuasia said.
Mr. Frank Oyiboka alleged that the sons of the Diokpa (eldest man), took advantage of their father’s old age to amass the Okotomi Farmlands from the original owners.
“This is why we have come to protest that we do not need Fred Ajudua in our lands because coming to our lands means catastrophe and it would spread to other parts of the community. This is why we have come to seek the governor’s intervention’’ Mr. Oyiboka said.
Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, State Director of Protocols, Chief Onoriode appealed to the protesters not to take laws into their hands, promising that the governor would look into their claims and ensure that justice was done.
“The government will take the necessary actions to address your claims and bring peace to your community. However, I appeal to you to remain peaceful and live harmoniously while the government does the rest” he said.
