By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
Elders of the Oke-Oroma Community in Edo State, have raised the alarm over an alleged attempt by certain elements within the Edo State Geographic Information Service, Edo-GIS, to allegedly revive the outlawed Coral City template, a project initiated by former Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration.
They claimed that this clandestine move by these elements in EDOGIS is aimed at undermining and frustrating the progress made in affirming and redeeming Governor Monday Okpebholo’s earlier solemn promises to the people.
Recall that the Edo state Government in a press release dated October 8, 2025, warned land grabbers, en-croachers and speculators to stir clear the land in Obagie Community designed for Coral City by the immediate past government, after it was reportedly speculated that some people have encroached the said area.
In a press statement jointly signed by the Head of the Community, Gaius Emokpae and the Secretary, Monday Omorogiuwa and made available to newsmen yesterday, disclosed that, Governor Monday Okpebholo has been working round the clock to address the issues surrounding the Oke-Oroma land disputed area, but faced with these elements who are hiding under government to escalate tension.
They revealed that, in continuation of the former governor Obaseki’s manipulative tendencies, these elements have also reportedly established another new company named EDO NEW TOWNS DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD to replace the CORAL CITY with the directors purely their political associates, Blood relatives and friends.
The gang up according to Emokpae, is between Obaseki’s loyalists and these elements in EDOGIS who are attempting to silence Governor Okpebholo’s decision on the issue.
He said, “After Governor Monday Okpebholo was inaugurated on November 12, 2024, he visited the community and made a solemn promise to return our village to us after carrying out their investigations.
“When we visited him in the office he told us that the government has revoked the C of Os of the people the former governor sold to, notably the “Coral City”. He told us to go back home and take over our land and start development”.
“The pronouncement was greeted with a thunderous ovation. We are now in the process of completing the legal documentation to conclude this milestone transaction”.
“But some powerful people in EDO-GIS are hiding under the umbrella of governance to re-invent the ex-governor obaseki’s template specifically the Coral City to reverse the decision of Governor Monday Okpebholo”
While lamenting their move, he emphasized that despite the governor’s clear intention on revoking the Coral City to allow the owners go back to their lands, the bank account used for the operations of the Coral City is still functional where some financial transactions were recently allegedly carried out between some people invited to purchase some piece of plots and EDO-GIS officials.
Despite existing as an ancestral home date back 15th century ago, Oke Oroma Community had been immersed in communal boundary disputes with neighbouring villages including Amagba, and Obazagbon villages in Oredo Local Government, and Obagie N” vbuosa in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area since June 2012, four months after the death of Pa Joseph Emokpae, the last Odionwere of the community.
Since then, the crisis escalated, and not less than 25 people have been allegedly killed with property worth billions of naira destroyed.
They express worry that, if allowed to continue, this could lead to renewed tensions and violence in the area.
The elders, in the statement, are urging individuals seeking personal benefits to desist and work with the governor whose magnanimity is well known from the beginning of his administration as he takes necessary steps to prevent any further escalation of the situation and ensure the continued peace and stability of the community.
