Orior Ozolua Community Calls For Removal Of Okaighele Over Tenure Elongation

By Simeon OSAJIE

Members of Orior Ozolua Community in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area, Edo State has called for the removal of Elder Osasere Egharevba who they claimed has served 37 years as the Okaighele of the community which is against the community laws, that stipulates a 2-year tenure.

The elders, women and youths of the community who protested to the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council with placard incriptions such as “Elder Osasere, Leave the Youths Alone”, “We Need Freedom from Osasere”, “Liberate Us From Slavery Osasere,” “Elder Osasere Must Go”, etc. stated that his continuous holding the position of Okaighele has generated insecurity and leadership crisis currently threatening the peace and stability of our community.

In his speech, the Community Youth Leader, Ajayi Nehikhare who appealed to the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II for urgent intervention and immediate investigation into the unlawful activities of Elder Osasere Egharevba in Orior Ozolua Community, adding that the Oba’s intervention at this critical time is necessary to avert chaos, protect lives and restore confidence in our traditional leadership and governance structures. “We believe in your commitment to justice, peace, and inclusive development for all communities in Benin. kingdom.”

According to Ajayi Nehikhare, “Elder Osasere Egharevba was appointed as the youth leader in 2008. In 2012, he was promoted by His Royal Highness, Osakpamwan Osemwengie the late Enogie of Orior Ozolua Community into the Council of Elders; a position that by custom and pronouncements of the Oba of Benm automatically disqualifies him from holding any position in the Youth Association and he can’t serve as the Okaighele (Youth Leader) and Odion (Elder).

“Despite this, Elder Osasere has refused to vacate the youth leadership position, thereby violating both the constitutional tenure limit and traditional protocols of leadership transition in our community.

“In 2023, he facilitated the appointment of a new Odionwere, who controversially reinstated him as Okaighele despite his status as a community elder and without the consent of the elders and youths of the community.

“For the past 17 years, the Orior Ozolua Community has suffered from stagnation, youth restiveness, and insecurity, largely fueled by the activities of Elder Osasere and his group of loyal armed thugs which has increased land speculation, intimidation of land developers, elders and residents of the
community.”

“Presently, our once peaceful community is under threat, with armed elements roaming freely, intimidating residents, and creating fear and instability. The possibility of violent confrontation and total breakdown of law and order looms dangerously.”

While reacting through telephone interview on the allegations levelled against him by the people of Orior Ozolua Community Elder Osasere Egharevba said that the allegations were uufounded and baseless as he was appointed by the new Odionwere in November 2023.