The usually calm town of Okpanam, in Oshimili North LGA, Delta State, was charged with emotion and unity on Wednesday, as residents, youth leaders, elders, and community executives converged at the palace of their traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty, Dr. Michael Mbanefo Ogbolu, to protest the series of court cases and petitions being filed against him.
Protesters from different parts of the community carried placards with messages such as “Stop the False Petitions,” “Let Our King Reign in Peace,” and “Okpanam Stands with the Ugoani.” They sang songs of solidarity and peace, urging the Delta State Government to step in and end what they described as a “campaign of distraction” against their monarch.
Addressing the crowd, the Ugoani of Okpanam, Dr. Ogbolu, voiced concern over the recurring litigations and false accusations meant to undermine his leadership. He explained that the crisis began after a section of Okpanam land was acquired by the state government for the expansion of the Asaba International Airport.
According to him, although the acquisition was carried out in good faith under the administration of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, a few individuals within the community conspired to forge documents and signatures in a bid to illegally resell the same land. “These are our own people, but they’ve allowed greed to push them into selling off our communal land illegally,” the monarch lamented.
In his remarks, the President-General of the Okpanam Community, Dr. Paul Nwayalani, explained that the dispute had dragged on for years because of a few land speculators who teamed up with outsiders to exploit the community. He recalled that the community had once taken the state government to court over the lack of compensation during the airport land acquisition but later withdrew the case after being assured that a portion of the land would be returned to Okpanam.
He expressed confidence that the state government was fully aware of the real situation and urged it to safeguard the traditional institution. “We are not opposed to development,” he said. “All we seek is fairness and peace. Our king has always worked for the growth of Okpanam, and these false court cases must come to an end.”
Also speaking, the Youth Chairman of Obodogba Quarters, Mr. Chukwuma Agbamujor, voiced the frustrations of the younger generation, condemning the continuous efforts to smear the reputation of their traditional ruler.
He went on to describe those behind the unrest as “troublemakers and land grabbers” determined to disrupt the peace and stability that Okpanam has enjoyed for many years.
