Asari Dokubo In Gelegele: The Air Was Silent And Numb, By Cletus Opukeme

By Cletus Opukeme

There are moments in history when events speak louder than words, and there are occasions when the presence of a man becomes a statement in itself. What happened in the Ijaw communities of Gelegele, Edo State, during the recent traditional ruler’s anniversary celebration and Egbesu worship festival was one such moment. King Asari Dokubo, accompanied by his entourage, fellow Ijaw traditional rulers and prominent Ijaw personalities, visited their brothers and sisters to identify with them in celebration of their cultural heritage. Interestingly, the atmosphere that had previously been charged with threats and provocative social media declarations suddenly became remarkably quiet.

For days and weeks preceding the event, social media had been awash with threats from individuals who reportedly warned that Asari Dokubo would face attacks if he dared to set foot on Edo soil.

Some Facebook activists appeared determined to turn King Asari’s earlier threat to take war to the Binis,  if the  Ijaws in Edo state are made to face continued oppression, political and economic subjugation.

Following this threat, the Facebook and other social media space was awashed with different kinds of threats, if  Asari sets his feet on Benin or any land in Edo state. Some miscreants placed a booty of huge millions of naira on King Asari’s head, if they could behead the king.

Their declarations created unnecessary tension and raised questions about the freedom of the Ijaw people in Edo state. The government of Edo state was not fair in the conditions and concerns of the Ijaws in Edo state.

But when the much-discussed visit eventually happened, the anticipated drama did not materialise. Asari arrived, participated in the celebration and departed without the confrontation that some had threatened.

The significance of this visit goes beyond the personality of Asari Dokubo. What many did not know about the announcement of Asari to take war on the Binis is not about King Asari. But it’s about millions of Ijaw people concerned about being treated in their ancient home like modern slaves.

Therefore, it’s not about King Asari Dokubo. King Asari spoke the minds of millions of Ijaw people and the Egbesu deity.

King Asari Dokubo in Gelegele with other Ijaw traditional rulers, Edo state

The Gelegele represents the entire Ijaw in Niger Delta and what affects the  Gelegele communities, affects the millions of Ijaws in Nigeria and diaspora.

It touches on the historical identity, cultural dignity and sense of belonging of the Ijaw people in Edo State.

The Ijaws of Gelegele and neighbouring communities are not strangers or visitors in their ancestral homeland. They are communities with their own history, traditions, institutions and cultural heritage. Their right to celebrate their traditional institutions, worship according to their customs and receive visitors of their choice should never become a subject of intimidation or political controversy.

King Asari Dokubo is a controversial but undeniably prominent figure in the Niger Delta struggle. His political activism and past involvement in militancy have made him a familiar name in conversations about resource control, environmental injustice and the marginalisation of oil-producing communities.

For years, he has spoken about what he considers the unfair treatment of the Niger Delta and the need for the people of the region to enjoy a fair share of the natural resources extracted from their ancestral territories. While his methods and political positions may attract different opinions, his visit to Gelegele was an opportunity to distinguish cultural solidarity from political disagreement.

This writer is an Ijaw man and do not consider this article as being biased or ethnocentric.  It is coming from a clear point of view and sincerity of the pending danger with the people of Edo state visa-vis with the Gelegele communities continued oppression and dehumanizing treatment from political leaders in the state.

The Ijaw question in Edo State deserves serious attention, not social media warfare. For many years, sections of the Ijaw population have expressed concerns about political marginalization, administrative divisions, inadequate recognition and the treatment of their communities by successive authorities.

These grievances should be examined through constructive dialogue, constitutional engagement and responsible leadership. No community should have to beg for recognition of its identity, history and legitimate interests. Equally, no grievance, however genuine, should be used as an excuse to threaten innocent people or promote violence against another ethnic group.

What made the occasion particularly interesting was the contrast between the online atmosphere before the visit and the apparent calm that followed Asari’s arrival. Those who had loudly declared that he would be attacked were conspicuously absent from any reported confrontation.

The silence was perhaps the loudest response to the threats. It demonstrated that social media declarations do not necessarily represent the position of an entire population. Edo State is home to diverse communities, and it would be unfair to interpret the words of a few online personalities as the collective voice of the Edo people.

It is important to acknowledge that the Ijaw and Edo peoples share a history of coexistence, commerce, cultural interaction and geographical proximity. Their relationship should not be sacrificed on the altar of ethnic suspicion or political rivalry. The Ijaw people in Edo State deserve respect, just as their Edo neighbours deserve peace and security.

Traditional rulers, political leaders, youth organisations and community stakeholders on both sides must understand that the future of their people depends more on cooperation than confrontation.

A peaceful visit by an Ijaw leader should be welcomed as an opportunity to strengthen relationships, not treated as an invitation to ethnic hostility.
The presence of other Ijaw traditional rulers and respected dignitaries at the celebration also carried an important message. It showed that the occasion was not merely about one individual but about cultural unity and the recognition of relationships among Ijaw communities across state boundaries. Traditional institutions remain important pillars of identity, history and community leadership.

Asari Dokubo’s visit should therefore be understood as a reminder that no individual or group owns the right to determine where another Nigerian citizen may peacefully travel. Edo State belongs to all Nigerians, just as every Ijaw community within its boundaries deserves the protection of the Constitution. The right response to political disagreements is dialogue, not threats. The right response to historical grievances is justice, not intimidation. And the right response to cultural differences is mutual respect, not hostility.

Ultimately, the story of Gelegele should not be remembered as a contest between threats and personalities. It should be remembered as a moment when a community celebrated its heritage, received its guests and demonstrated the importance of peaceful coexistence. King Asari Dokubo was in Edo State, the much-publicised threats did not translate into the confrontation some had predicted, and the atmosphere remained calm. Perhaps the most important lesson is that courage does not always require confrontation, and genuine leadership does not need the language of war to make its presence felt.

The Ijaw and Edo peoples have far more to gain from peace, understanding and mutual respect than from the dangerous politics of division. The Edo State government should be all embracing like their Ondo state neighbours who accommodated the minority Ijaws of Arogbo-Ibe kingdom into governance, living harmoniously like brother and sisters with many Ijaws from Ondo state holding top state government political and elective positions.

Opukeme is the Publisher of Daily Watch,  a UK trained journalist.

Note: This medium does not promote violence, but tells truth to authority.