By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
A traditional age group, Association of Okaeghele in Benin Kingdom, ( AOBK), has asked Governor Godwin to retrieves his steps against the ban on the activities of the Okaegheles in Edo State .
The youths group in a protest in their thousands stormed the streets of Benin City , creating vehicular stoppage, condermed the banning of Okaighele in the kingdom.
Addressing journalists at the NUJ centre in Benin City, Secretary of the association of Okaighele in Benin Kingdom, Bright Oviasogie, said,
“Our attention has been drawn to the Edo State Government ban on the activities of Okaegheles in Edo State and we have decided to engage the government on a peaceful protest against the statement by the State Governor, Godwin Obaseki.
It will be recalled that, governor Godwin Obaseki ascented to the
bill to repeal the Edo State Private Property Protection Law 2017 and re-enact the Edo State Private Property Protection Law 2021.
Speaking on the amended private property protection law 2017, Obaseki noted that “this law affects law and order in the State. With this law, we are not only banning the Community Development Associations (CDAs) but also all sorts of splinter groups like Okaigele or people who have come up to forcefully take other people’s landed properties in their communities.
The governor further stated: “We have been waiting for this law to reconstitute the committee on protection of private property. Now that we have the law, we will be reconstituting this Committee within a fortnight using this law and utilizing more stringent measures to deal with erring individuals or communities trying to dispose innocent individuals of their landed properties.
“We are setting up a special court to swiftly try offenders and if guilty, they will certainly face the consequences.”
Oviasogie, said, “Okaegheles in the Benin KINGDOM is an age long traditional position under the Benin Native Laws and Customs which is over 400 years old, it is not a recent creation.
Adding that, ” under the Benin Traditional Council settings, Communities have Leadership Structures which comprises the Odionwere, the Ohen, the Okaeghele in addition .to the Enogie in Communities where Enogie exists.
“Okaegheles of Benin KINGDOM are not appointees under the leadership of the Edo Stare Government.
“We members of the Okaegheles of Benin KINGDOM; categorically state that any Okaeghele found wanting against the law of Edo State should be prosecuted according to the law of Edo State.
“We are not politicians and we should not be treated as one because we are ready to RESIST any attempt to reduce our rights as traditional citizens of Benin « KINGDOM by anyone or groups of persons no matter who or what is involved.
“We are Benins and we cannot be intimidated or oppressed under any guise of groups or Government.
“Edo State Government should as a matter of urgency retrieve their statement against the Okaegheles of Benin KINGDOM to avoid untoward legal issues in the State,” the statement opined.
Some of the placards read,
“Arrest and Persecute any Okaighele that practice illegality.”
“Governor OBASEKI you are not our Spiritual Leader.”
” We are proud of our Kingdom”
“We are Okaighele to the Palace of Oba of Benin not Government Hause” .
“Governor OBASEKI you are not the Oba of Benin Leave Oba Palace Issues alone.”
In his remarks, while addressing the protesters, the Chairman, Edo NUJ, Comrade Roland Osakue appealed to the protesters to be peacefull with the protest.
He appealed to them not to allow hoodrums hijack the peaceful protest.
End.