Tension and uneasy calm at present pervades IlIushi community in Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State following an alleged plan by the state government to impose one Fidelis Okowele, an alleged non-indigene as the Onogie (king) of the agrarian community.
The alleged plan to install the non-indigene as the Onogie of the small community has led to protests by the indigenes of Illushi.
Singing solidarity songs, the protesters, who were armed with placards and banners, stormed the Secretariat Complex of Esan South East Local Government Area and the Office of the Directorate of State Security (DSS), both in Ubiaja, demanding immediate halt to the alleged government’s plan to install Mr. Okowele as the traditional ruler of the agrarian community, just as they insisted that he is not a bonafide indigene.
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The protesters called on both the Edo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the Commissioner of Police to decisively intervene to forestall any possible breach of the tradition, custom, law and order, as well as peaceful coexistence of the people of Illushi.
The protesters’ spokesman, Mr. William Ajonota fumed, charging that Mr. Okowele is not a native of Illushi but from Onogolo and hence, cannot become the Onogie.
He said: “Illushi Community vehemently oppose and reject the plan to install a non-native as Onogie on the good people of Illushi.
“We urge the government to urgently take a second look at its plan and set the machinery of justice in motion against any plan to impose Fidelis Okowele as the Onogie of Illushi.”
In the protest letter, which was jointly signed, by Elder Okolo Abamu, Elder Pius Oifoghe and Augustine Igwe, the youth leader, they reiterated their resolve as a community not to surrender to the “unacceptable plan to install a non-native as the Onogie of Illushi”, an action which they dolefully predicted will result in crisis.
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The Vice Chairman of Esan South East Local Government Area, Mrs. Susan Otekpen, who received the letter of protest on behalf of the Chairman of the council, Hon. Lius Imhandegbelo advised the aggrieved protesters to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner in order to forestall a breakdown of law and order.
Mrs. Susan Otekpen assured that the matter will be channelled to the appropriate government quarters for an amicable resolution of the dispute.
Persistent efforts to speak with Mr. Okowele proved futile as his mobile phone was serially engaged.
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