Aladja/Ogbe-Ijoh conflict: Protesting youths urge Okowa to fasten the peace process

•Demand for demarcation of Ogbe-Ijoh, Aladja boundaries

Angry protesting youths of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri kingdom, in Warri South West Local Government Area, under the platforms of Ogbe-Ijoh Defensive Forum, OIDF, and Ijaw Youths Council, IYC, have faulted the governor of Delta state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for the delay in the peace process of Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh waring Communities.

According to the youth leaders Amb. Payebo Koremene, Amb. Smart Okosu, Nat’l coordinator Ogbe-Ijoh Defensive Forum and Comrade Victor Akemeotubo, chairman IYC Ogbe-Ijoh Warri kingdom, who spoke to our correspondents, said the governor of the state, His Excellency senator Ifeanyi Okowa should fastrack the peace process between Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh warring communities to end unlawful killings and attacks on Ogbe-Ijoh community by their Aladja neighbours.

The angry youths also appealed that the disputed land in question be demarcated without further delay to restore finally peace in the area.

A youth leader Amb. Payebo Koremene called for concerted efforts to return permanent peace in both community.

He added, “The people you are seeing here are members of Ogbe-Ijoh Defensive Forum, OIDF. We are demonstrating against injustice and the endless crisis in Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities. We have been in crisis with our neighboring community Aladja for the pass six years. For the years Aladja has blocked the only access road between the two communities. The crisis has equally stop development from all levels of government in the community. We have been shortchanged economical, social and otherwise.

“The governor has done nothing about it. Okowa second term campaign, we demanded that he should make peace between the two communities. We gave him massive votes. Over 9000 votes which among other votes that makes him to win his second term. Since then the Aladja people have continue to block the only government access road but the act is yet to be condemned by the Delta state government. We have no access to the Aladja road. Even our visitors are not allow to pass that road.

“Our complain is that the same road blocked for this many years was made accessible for the singular reason of Sheriff visits today. This is deceptive, a camouflage to make people believe that the road is accessible. We say no to deceptive moves in any form. We need holistic approach to the crisis in the both Communities. This road will be blocked after now. That is our concerns. This free movement on this road will not be enjoyed after now. It is a a risk for one to think of passing this road after now. It has been agreed the only thing that will bring peace in the two communities is to demarcate the land.

“Though, the Governor started the process early this year, but work at site has been abandoned. We need peace, because election can’t take place where there is crisis. We are not pretenders, we are natives of Ogbe-Ijoh and we reside in this community. We suffer the consequences of the crisis. Election is coming,we know but let Okowa install peace between the two communities. That is the only ground for us to embrace any campaign in the community.” He maintained.

What is happening here is to make people believe that there is peace in the community, so they could carry out their compaign activities, we say no to that. We are not against campaign but the governor Okowa to put a stop to this crisis to save lives in both communities. We say no to injustice and no to further crisis in the area. A surviving victim of the crisis also narrated his ordeal. He said was shot while he was sleeping in his house. He complain that now he can’t work properly and couldn’t do anything to survive this family.

In the same vein, Comrade Victor Akemeotubo, IYC clan chairman of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri kingdom said the concern of the youth was the delay of the peace process, adding that the government of the state should ensure quick and timely resolution of the crisis.

Victor noted, “My pain is that the governor could not settle a dispute between the two communities after being seven years in office. The governor has failed Ogbe-Ijoh Warri kingdom. The road master as they fondly called him should do the needful. Before the general elections in next year, if there is not peace between Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh we will not vote PDP. We are calling on Ijaw people not to pass Aladja road. They should not be deceived by the free movement on the road today. It is a trap ,if you pass there they may kill you. It is part of our appeal that the road and boundaries of Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities should be demarcated without further delay.”

Also addressing newsmen, Amb. Smart Okosu National coordinator of Ogbe-Ijoh Defensive Forum, the people you see are members of this Forum. We want to tell the public the injustice we are facing under the watch of Okowa government. Despite Okowa seven years in office, there is no completed state project in Ogbe-Ijoh community. The crisis has lasted for about six years plus now, the government has not deem it fit to settle it. The only Government access road has been blocked by an individual community by Aladja, the government is aware and it has done nothing about it.

“The pretend of the government is giving us problem. Our emphasis is still the demarcation of Ogbe-Ijoh and Aladja boundaries. Every local government, state and country has boundaries, to identify themselves, why the Udu and Warri South West are different. Our boundary be demarcated for peace to reign, these and among others are our demands to governor Okowa.”he narrated.