By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
Youths of South Ibie Community in Etsako West Area of Edo State have called on the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, to stop fanning the embers of crisis and disunity which is capable of breaking down law and order in the peaceful community.
The Youths gave this call following the recent pronouncement by the state governor confirming Mr Umoru Inusa Umoru as the Aidonogie of South Ibie Community and consequently issuing him with a purported letter of appointment.
This act which has caused great unrest and agitations in the peaceful town of South Ibie, has been described by many as not only mischievous and political, but also vindictive because of the governor’s electoral misfortunes and an act of gross impunity and disregard for the judiciary where the matter is currently being heard.
Visibly irritated, the irate youths of the community wondered what the outgoing governor stands to achieve by rushing to recognize Umoru Inusa Umoru as the Aidonogie and issuing him with a Staff of Office when the case is still before the court with a restraining order mandating everyone involved to maintain the status quo and wait till full hearing and judgement.
Describing the action of the governor as inimical to peaceful living and politically motivated, the youths accused the outgoing governor of vilifying and trying to punish HRM, Alhaji K. Danesi, Oba Idanesi II, the Aidonogie of South Ibie Kingdom possibly because he perceived he had worked for the victory of the All Progressive Congress (APC) at the just concluded Edo Governorship Elections and therefore warned him to stay clear off the internal issues of the community as they will not be drawn into one of his numerous fights that had characterized his administration.
Speaking, one of the South Ibie Youth Leaders, Mr Isah Braimoh said, “it is very unfortunate that it is the Chief Security Officer of the state that is now perpetrating gross misconduct and acts capable of leading to a complete breakdown of law and order in our peaceful community.
“Seeing there is an ongoing court issue and an injunction on this matter, one would have expected Mr Governor to exercise some restraint and not jump in to take sides.
“The struggle is that of two brothers, and it will be resolved by the court in due time. So, the action of Governor Obaseki is ill-intentioned, it is political, and it is condemnable”.
Braimoh continued, “It is an act taken too far, and we the youths of South Ibie community will resist him. We will not allow him to destroy the unity and bond that exists in this community”, he said.
The angry youths therefore called on the federal government and relevant security agencies to call the outgoing governor to order and mandate him to obey court proceedings while advising him to use his remaining days in office to focus on balancing his records, giving account of his eight years in office to the people of Edo State and preparing his handing over notes to the new administration rather than engaging himself in petty, embarrassing and irresponsible fights that have characterized his administration.
The Youths also called on the general public, particularly the youths in Edo North to be at alert as more Royal Fathers from Edo North Senatorial District have been penciled down to be given similar treatment by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Monday Osaigbovo on the directive of the outgoing governor.
In a final entreaty, the youths called on the incoming governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo to immediately on resumption of office in November, look into these issues and reversed them so as to save the traditional institutions, customs and traditions of Edo people from further ridicule and embarrassment
South Ibie, a community in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, is currently enmeshed in a legal battle at the Benin High Court between HRM, Alhaji K. Danesi, Oba Idanesi 11, the Aidonogie of South Ibie Kingdom, and Mr. Umoru Inusa Umoru on the rightful Aidonogie of the community.
Governor Godwin Obaseki has been accused of desecrating the traditional institution in the state in a move that saw him trying to pitch the Dukes in Edo South Senatorial District against the highly revered Oba of Benin Kingdom and has now extended the same divisive, desecrating moves to Edo North by issuing purported appointment Letters and Staff of Office to village heads with same aim of pitching them against their clan heads in a clear violations of the traditions and customs of the land.