EDO IJAW LEADERS DEMAND RECOGNITION AND DEVELOPMENT CENTRES

Leaders of five Ijaw kingdoms in Edo State have called for greater recognition and political inclusion for their communities, while demanding the creation of three Local Government Development Centres for Ijaw indigenes.

The demand was made during a press conference in Gelegele, Ovia North-East Local Government Area, on Friday. The kingdoms involved are Egbema, Olodiama, Okomu, Gbaran and Furupagha.

The President of Ijaw in Edo State, Chief Robinson Ogunkoruwei, who spoke on behalf of the group, alleged that Ijaw communities had faced marginalisation for decades. The leaders also called for the immediate recognition of their five traditional rulers and the presentation of Staff of Office to them.

They argued that Ijaw communities across parts of Ovia South-West, Ovia North-East and Ikpoba-Okha local government areas had been divided in ways that weakened their collective political representation.

The leaders also referred to historical records and the 1988–1989 Constituent Assembly Report, which they said supported the creation of a local government area for Ijaw communities in the former Ovia Local Government Area.

Alternatively, they asked that Ijaw communities in Edo be allowed to integrate with their counterparts in neighbouring Delta and Ondo states.

Responding, Edo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua, said Gelegele and other Ijaw communities were an integral part of Edo State. He urged the leaders to remain calm and engage the government constructively, stressing that the administration was focused on unity and integration.