Edo community protest imposition of non- indigene as leader

THE Illushi/ Ozigono community in Edo State has called on Governor Godwin Obaseki and the state Commissioner of Police to intervene in the alleged appointment of a non- indigene, Fidelis Okowele as their Onojie.

The community, situated in Esan South East Local Council of the state, said there is an urgent need for intervention to avert a breakdown of law and order.

The community in a protest letter, dated April 2, and signed by the President of Illushi Progressive Association of Nigeria ( IPAN), Victor Giwa, a lawyer, called for the withdrawal of the appointment of Okowele. In the letter addressed to the governor, the police, Secretary to the State Government, and the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs in the state, the association said Okowele has no ancestral link or connection to the people of Illushi/ Ozigono.

According to the association, Okowele is not an indigene of their community and should not be inaugurated as the Onojie of the community. Parts of the letter also signed by the council of elders and other community leaders reads: “Sir, our attention has been drawn to the news making round that your office has recognised one Fidelis Okowele as the Onojie of Illushi Ozigono community of Esan South East Local government area of Edo State.

“This news making the rounds in some official quarters is coming as a major concern to our people and it has heightened tension between the Illushi and Onogholo people of Esan South East Local Council.

“Firstly, the said Okowele Fidelis is not an indigene of Illushi/ Ozigono community and has no ancestral link or connection to the people of Illushi/ Ozigono.

“Secondly, Illushi/ Ozigono belongs to the Uloshi people, whose ancestral home is the Uloshi Community in the Uroh/ Uloshi community. And our dialect is Uloshi and it is distinct from Esan dialect, which is prevalent in the Esan South East area. Thirdly, as corollary to the reasons above, our dead are buried in our community and all burial rites are performed in the same Illushi community. “Additionally, our people observe our cultural rites like Ogu, Eka, etc in the community. In the contrary, the said Fidelis Okowele is not an indigene of the Illushi Community, rather he is an indigene of Onogholo Community, which shares boundary with our Illushi community.