The traditional rulers in Edo State have blown hot, warning that the Ijaws will not have an inch of Edo land.
According to a The Nation report, the traditional rulers in Edo North and Edo Central Senatorial districts have risen in unison to warn that they would not allow the Ijaws carved out kingdoms out of an inch of Edo land.
The traditional rulers said they backed the Edo State and Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, in the stopping of the installation of one Godwin Ogunyenbo as the Pere of Olodiama Kingdom in Ovia North east Local government Area of Edo state.
Speaking on Tuesday at a press briefing, the traditional rulers said the only recognized king in Edo South is the Oba of Bénin and described as abominable attempts by some traditional rulers from Bayelsa and Delta States to install another king in Edo South.
First Vice Chairman of the Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs and Onojie of Opoji, His Royal Highness (HRH), Ehidiamen Aidonojie 1, urged security agencies to arrest and prosecute all the traditional rulers involved in the attempted coronation.
His words, “It is misnomer for anybody to say Gelegele is part of Edo, Bayelsa and Delta States. A king from Bayelsa state came to the Oba last time to pay homage that his roots are here and now you see one Pere jumping over Warri to come here and install a king.
“Our Oba has always welcome people. Late Okotie-Eboh was the Adolor of a Benin Kingdom. What the Pere from Delta and Bayelsa States did is unacceptable. The Portuguese entered Benin through Gelegele and it was the only port in Benin at that time.
“If the Ijaws had wanted a chief, they would have pleaded with the Oba and he would have created a chieftaincy title for them. There can never be any other Kingdom in Edo South.”
The Olokpe of Okpe, HRH Oba Idogun said they would not allow anyone or tribe trespass on any part of Edo land.
His word, “Edo land is a property for the Edo people. We disagree with what the Peres of Bayelsa and Delta states did. We condemned their action.”
Onojie of Ewu Kingdom, HRH Abdulrasaq Ojeifo, said it would be suicidal for any person to say he is king in Benin Kingdom.
Ojeifo stated that it was a criminal act for anybody to declare himself king when the only recognized king is the Oba of Benin.
He warned that the situation might degenerate to chaos and violence in the country if not well tackled.
“We all know the history of Benin Kingdom. All of us both in Delta, Bayelsa have our roots in this Oba’s Palace. If you allow it to happen now, who knows where it will happen next. The title of Pere is not recognized by law.”