ALLEGED CDA ACTIVITIES: Call Youths Of Okhiaro To Order, Ohen, Odionwere Appeal To State Gov., Benin Monarch

By Simeon OSAJIE

The Ohen Evbara, Odionwere and Elders of Evbo-Okhiaro Village in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, have appealed to the Benin Monarch, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’ Oba ‘N Edo, Uku Akpolokpolor, Oba Ewuare II and Edo State Government to call some of the youths to order who they alleged are causing division in the village.

They further alleged that one Godfrey, and his allies are now indulging in an act similar to the outlawed Community Development Association (CDA) by using firearms and other danger weapons to forcefully collecting money from land developers in the village.

The Ohen Evbara, Odionwere and Elders of Evbo-Okhiaro Village who stated this while speaking with newsmen at the village recently, said that trouble started when the Ohen Evbara, Odionwere and the Elders advised the alleged Godfrey’s group to stop harassing land developers especially as it is against the Oba’s directives and the law.

Addressing newsmen, the Ohen Evbara, Mr. Obamedo Odeh, said that the traditional administration of every village in Benin is bestow on the Elders of the place not the youths as allegedly demanded by Godfrey and his allies.

While maintaining that Pa. Osarenren Enogieru is the palace authorised Odionwere of the village especially having followed the traditional procedures diligently to become the village Odionwere, Ohen Evbara said any one that is again the peace and progress current going on in the village is an enemy of the kingdom.

Obas as the Ohen is popularly called by his teeming supporters who denied knowing one Roland Ekhoe Ogbebor nor having any dealings with the said Roland prior to his appointment as Ohen Evbiara said anyone that is dragging the Odionwere position with Osarenren Enogieru is not only troublesome, but a mischief-maker who security and the state government should call to order.

Speaking with newsmen also, Odionwere Osarenren Enogieru, while maintaining that he is the authorised Odionwere of the village said he was born and raised in the village, adding that he was admitted into the edionfold in the village where he later rosed from Ozukpogieha (3rd in command), Ozukpogieva ( 2nd in Command) to Odionwere on January 25, 2022.

“Since my installation as Odionwere, the village has been been peaceful until recently when some certain characters led by one Godfrey decided to harass land developers with firearms with the intent to forcefully collecting money from them.

“So we the people of the village decided to put a stoppage to the nefarious and outlawed activities of these characters, hence, their hatred against the Odionwere Ohen and Elders”.

He made passionate appeal to the Edo State Government, Oba of Benin Kingdom and other relevant authorities to as matter of urgency and public importance to call Godfrey and his allies to order.

Also the Second-in-Command (Ozukpogieva) and third-in-Command (Ozukpogieha) of the village, Pa. Aghasedo Iyomana and Pa. Omorovbiye Igbinosun, however corroborated the positions of the Ohen and Odionwere in their separate remarks, just as they commended Obamedo and Osarenren for restoring peace and development back to the village.

Attempts to gets comment from Godfrey proved abortive as he couldn’t not be reached before filling this report.