Toru-Ibe State: Group accuses Ese-Odo Council Chairman, Ajube of working against Ijaw Interest

•Condemns Intimidation of Councillors

By Monday Peters, Abuja

The political landscape of Ese-Odo Local Government Area is currently tense following serious allegations against the Council Chairman, Mr. Molos, and Senior High Chief Bibopere Ajube, who are accused of deliberately undermining the movement for the creation of Toru-Ibe State — a proposed state that seeked to unite Ijaw-speaking areas under a common administrative structure.

Despite both leaders’ public posturing as defenders of Ijaw interest, they reportedly refused to endorse the Toru-Ibe State Declaration Document. Sources within the local council confirmed that Mr. Molos declined to sign the document, sparking outrage among councillors who supported the initiative.

“His refusal to support the Toru-Ibe initiative raises serious questions,” one councillor disclosed. “We are talking about the political and cultural unification of the Ijaw people, yet our supposed leaders are the ones holding it back.”

A reliable source within the council, who pleaded anonymity, also revealed that Mr. Molos had moved to silence councillors who showed support for the Toru-Ibe movement or participated in the recently held Amaseikumor Festival in Gbaramatu Kingdom, which he allegedly described as an “enemy territory” to Arogbo-Ibe.

Furthermore, High Chief Ajube reportedly directed the dismissal of certain operatives from his private security outfit, Gallery Security, simply for attending the festival — an act seen by many as retaliatory and anti-Ijaw.

Reacting to these developments, Hosea T. Ebikontei, Coordinator of the Movement for the Rights of Arogbo-Ibe (MRAI), condemned the actions of Mr. Molos and High Chief Ajube, describing them as a betrayal of the collective interest of the Ijaw people.

“It is disheartening that individuals who parade themselves as Ijaw leaders are the same ones frustrating a people-driven project like the creation of Toru-Ibe State,” Ebikontei said. “We strongly denounce all forms of intimidation directed at our elected councillors who have shown courage and solidarity.”

Also speaking, Bomi Stanley, Secretary of MRAI, applauded the councillors who defied the Chairman’s directive and attended the Amaseikumor Festival.

“These councillors have written their names in gold,” Stanley stated. “Their decision to attend Amaseikumor is a bold statement that Arogbo-Ibe stands with the Ijaw nation, and no amount of local politics can divide us.”

As agitation for Toru-Ibe State continues to grow, voices from across Ijawland are calling for sincerity, unity, and transparency among leaders, warning that those who work against the people’s will may soon lose relevance.