Women plead with Oba of Benin over Ikpoba Communal crisis

Ikpoba Community women in Ikpoba-Okha Local government Area of Edo State have appealed to Omo N’Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, CFR Oba of Benin, to intervene in the Community crisis, Osaigbovo Iguobaro, the Chief Press Secretary to Oba of Benin said in a statement.

He said the group made the appeal during a peaceful protest to Oba Palace in Benin City, following the emergence of Pa. Nosakhare Obazee who is laying claim to the position of Ohen’ Ikpoba (traditional Priest of Ikpoba) and the self-acclaimed Odionwere of the Community, Pa. Otasowie Omigie in their bid to outsmart each other after a prolong bitter struggle.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters at the weekend, Christiana Omusi, pleaded with Oba Ewuare II and the State government to call the main actors in the crisis to other and avert upheaval that could undermine the fragile peace in the locality, which she alleged, is gradually sliding into anarchy.

Omusi said they decided to take the bold steps as concerned mothers to cry to relevant authorities over the leadership tussle in the Community, which according to her has witnessed several unrest, killings and disturbances, gnawing in the minds of residents.

“Presently, your Royal Majesty, Ikpoba Community is presently having four Okaighele (youth leaders) in the Community parading themselves with their boys. We the women (Ikhuevbo) have made several attempts to intervene in the crisis, the alleged Odionwere and Ohen did not give us a listening ears”, Omusi alleged

Addressing the women group on behalf of Oba Palace, Chief Oghafua Oyeoba who was joined by Chief Uyi Okungbowa (the Ogua of Benin), urged the people of Ikpoba Community to shun violence and unite in preserving Edo heritage.

Chief Oyeoba who assured that the Palace will encourage any act of brigandage in the State, cautioned that any individual or a group of persons that undermine the peace of the State against the wrath of the ancestors and God.

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