Community Youths’ Leader Debunks Alleged Overstay In Office
…Says he was made youths’ leader 2 years ago by Odionwere, Community Elders
By Simeon OSAJIE
The Youths’ Leader (Okaighele) of Orior Ozolua Community in Uhunwonde local government area of Edo State, Egharevba Osasere has debunked the allegations by a group of agitators calling for his removal after allegedly holding the position for 17 years, saying he was made the Okaighele in 2023 by the Odionwere.
Recall that a group of people with different placards carrying agitators on Monday 14th April, 2025 stormed the Edo State secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), raised various allegations against Osasere and called for his removal as the Okaighele of Orior Ozolua Community.
In reaction, Osasere said the allegations are not only frivolous, but being pushed for selfish gains with their backers in Government House.
“The allegation about me being the Okaighele for 17 years is not true. They lied for their own self-interest and reason best known to them.
“November 15, 2023 was when my Odionwere and l, Pa. Joseph Imadiyi Osayamwanbo along contemporaries from other villages; about 18 precisely, took an oath in the Palace of His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II that made me become the Okaighele of Orior Ozolua Community.
“So the years they are actually alleging that I have spent in the position, I don’t know where they got that from.
“My community had always been in peace until they employed the services of one Paul Akhere in Government House who addresses himself as SA to the Governor on Security Matters.
“He actually came and connived with these rebels in my community to make trouble and three persons have been shot in the exercise.
“Odionwere and myself went to Government House and complained to him about the persons he actually released who came to shoot our people.
“He said my Odionwere should enter the community coffers and take money to go treat them; he doesn’t want the police to be involved saying he has finished that matter and that he has the power to remove and install any Okaighele.
“He said he has removed me as the Okaighele of Orior Ozolua and in two weeks, he was going to install a new one and that is what we are waiting for.”
Going further Osasere added that the same group of agitators had lodged their grievances with the Palace of the Oba and all parties were invited to appear last Thursday but on the directive of Paul Akhere they refused to honour the invitation from the palace.
Asked what could be the interest of SA on Security Matters to Governor, Paul Akhere judging by his alleged actions, he said though he is not too sure as he is not a witness; some alleged that it could be as regard to land allocated to him, while others said it is a cash gift.
“But mere looking at his actions; a situation where he is acting strange and threatening the Odionwere if he refuses to abide by his directives, he will remove him from the position, that can only be out of ulterior interest.”
Interestingly however, the Odionwere has declared even before the Palace Chiefs that Osasere remains his Okaighele, he said.
He added that in Benin Law and Custom, it is only the Odionwere in agreement with the Council of Elders who have the responsibility to install anyone as the Okaighele and not by any other person or means, and present to the Oba for acknowledgement and approval; “this was done in 2023 in my case,” Osasere added.
The agitators are troublemakers who want sustenance of the old order where they arbitrarily sell one plot of land to several persons; a fraudulent act Odionwere and l have said must stop after swearing to an oath in the Palace of the Oba; it must not be business as usual, he declared.
This is the sole reason behind their gang up and agitation with the connivance of Akhere in the Government House, the Okaighele further alleged.
However in his reaction, the Special Assistant on Security to Edo State Governor, Paul Akhere said the governor being the Chief Security officer of the state has the power to ensure there is peace in the state
He noted that as an SA on security, he does not go outside to see what is going on without the permission of the governor.
“So the issue of Okaighele in Orior-Ozolua community, the governor has given instructions to pick another Okaighele for peace to reign since the people are against him having served for 17 years in the position”, he said.
