The Delta State government said it has gotten enough evidence from protesters that would help in its investigation of alleged land grabbing by the traditional ruler of Owa Kingdom, Obi, Emmanuel Efeizomor.
The Special Adviser to the State Governor on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Edwin Uzor, leading the inquiry process, confirmed he has received evidential testimonies from some of the aggrieved persons; majority of whom are widows.
While addressing Owa-Oyibu Development Initiative, ADI, which had earlier protested over the matter but soft-pedalled following appeal by the leadership of the State House of Assembly, he said his office has commenced investigative inquiry into the matter.
He assured that the state government would speed up investigation with a view to resolving the crisis and come up with a peaceful resolution.
While enjoining the aggrieved parties to sheath their swords, he assured that the state government would get to the root of the matter. He said the administration of Hon Sheriff Oborevwori was irrevocably committed to ensuring that no Deltan is victimized by anyone on the account of his or her financial or social status.
He enjoined the youths in the community to give the state government the benefits of the doubts by remaining peaceful and calm.
Addressing the over hundred persons, all of whom are indigenes of Owa Kingdom, Uzor said, “we have gotten enough evidence from you that would help us in our investigation process.
“I want to commend you for your peaceful disposition so far. Meanwhile, we wish to appeal that you continue to maintain the existing peace even as we continue in our investigation”.
However, Chairman, Owa-Oyibu Development Initiative, Ogha-ni-ihun Oyibu, Benson Nkeki said the group had decided to embark on a wide protest against the monarch and the palace over alleged high-handedness, bothering largely on land grabbing and forcefully dispossessing land owners of their lands under false pretense.
He said the meeting was an aftermath of the group’s protest on the alleged land grabbing by the traditional ruler of Owa Kingdom, Obi Emmanuel Efeizomor.
Nkeki assured that following the intervention by the state government vis-a-vis the ongoing investigative inquiry into the allegation, the group is committed to giving the state government the benefits of the doubts.
“As law abiding citizens, we are prepared to give the state government the benefit of the doubts. If things are not done the way it should, we will continue with our protest even to the National Assembly level and beyond” Nkeki said.
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