Delta monarch seeks govt intervention in community land dispute
The traditional ruler of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom, HRM Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo, has insisted that the Otulu Community in Delta State is an integral part of the Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom amid brewing tensions.
Obi Okonjo made this statement on Sunday in response to some individuals allegedly claiming to represent the Otulu Ogwashi-Uku community in the Aniocha South Local Government Area of the state.
On Friday, a group led by one Mr Chukwuma Nwaka accused HRM Obi Okonjo of orchestrating efforts to seize ancestral lands belonging to Otulu.
Nwaka, in a briefing, called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and state security agencies to restrain the Ogwashi-Uku monarch, claiming that further escalation could lead to unrest in Otulu.
Nwaka further asserted that Otulu is an autonomous community, urging Oborevwori to intervene against alleged land grabs by invaders from Ogwashi-Uku.
However, Obi Okonjo, who spoke through one of his chiefs, Chief Jude Obidi, described the claims of autonomy as baseless, insisting that Otulu is an integral part of the Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom.
He said, “Otulu community is an integral part of the Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom. The so-called protest involved only five individuals, none of whom are from Otulu.
“The demonstration is a misguided effort to escalate tensions. These individuals are acting out a failed script with their attempts to spread disinformation and cause communal violence.
“Otulu is historically and legally part of the Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom. There are government gazettes from the Western Region, Bendel State, and Delta State.
“The current leader of the Otulu community, Chief Anthony Enurah, was appointed by the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku and has been officially recognised and gazetted by the Delta State government.
“Regarding security, elders from Otulu who have lived in the community for over 40 years confirmed that the community has been peaceful for the past three years, following the alleged imprisonment of individuals responsible for previous unrest.”
Meanwhile, some elders in the Otulu Community told our correspondent that these individuals were recently released on bail, and their return led to a resurgence of alleged violence.
They emphasised that “Otulu remains part of the Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom.”
