As Ondo State tackles Ogun over ownership of some boundary communities, Delta State has joined the territorial war as it accused Ondo of attempting to annex some of its oil rich communities.
The Delta State government has vowed to resist any attempt by the Ondo State government to annex any part of its communities. It has vowed to resist any attempt by the Ondo State government to annex Opuama, Tsekelewu and Okirigbo communities of Egbema Kingdom, in Warri north local government area.
The Delta government maintained that ceding the communities to Ilaje east local development area in Ondo will not be allowed to happen.
Deputy governor, Monday Onyeme who doubles as the chairman of Delta state boundary committee, made the government’s position known at a meeting between leaders of the, Opuama, Tsekelewu and Okirigbo communities and the Delta State Boundary Committee on Friday at the Government House in Asaba.
The people of Opuama, Tsekelewu and Okirigbo communities had told the boundary committee that they were on the verge of defending themselves, following efforts by the Ondo State Government to illegally annex their communities into Ilaje East Local Development Area of the state.
Onyeme noted that it was impossible for a state government to annex any community as the National Boundary Commission had clearly defined state boundaries.
Onyeme said, “Your facts are enough to convince anybody that you belong to Delta State; Delta State has never dreamt of ceding any part or any community to other states; so, do not be afraid as government will do everything within its powers to ensure that the matter is resolved.
“It is good to know that the Chairman of Warri North is from your community and four councillors who are representing your communities are also domiciled in Warri North and your votes are counted in Delta State; so, it is wrong for any other state to want to annex those communities.”
While assuring the communities and other communities in the state that are experiencing similar issues of the state government’s commitment to protect their interest, Onyeme said; “you have made your case very loud and clear about where you belong because you have been able to trace your history from the defunct Western Region.”
Speaking on behalf of the communities, Chief David Ugedi, gave historical perspective of their roots in Delta State, disclosing that the interest of the government of Ondo State was mainly about oil resources in their communities.
He stated that they were ready to defend themselves if necessary and asked Delta and the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency, intervene.
READ ALSO: New LCDAs: Delta communities oppose annexation to Ondo
