Some indigenes of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State have reacted to the protest by some youths in the kingdom over alleged land grabbing by Government officials.
Recall that some natives of the Okere-Urhobo community led by a former Okere-Urhobo Youth President, Comrade Festus Otesiri Igherebuo, had on Thursday staged a peaceful protest over their land acquired by previous governments and alleging that former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and some political bigwigs allocated some plots of the lands to themselves while in government.
However, in a counter-protest on Friday some indigenes of the kingdom led by the immediate past Youth President of Okere-Urhobo Development Movement, Comrade Cyril Eboh said it is not true that any Government officials sold Okere Urhobo land.
Speaking to journalists, Comradel Eboh and others alleged that the youths that protested on Thursday were paid to disturb the peace of the kingdom as they do not have the authority of any organ of the kingdom to embark on the protest.
According to him, the only organ that can demand a portion of the land is the Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu management committee and not the youths.
He noted that Okere-Urhobo is an organised kingdom and that the people are ever grateful to the Delta State Government for attracting development to the kingdom.
Comrade Eboh said the immediate past administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in the state did a lot to give the kingdom a face lift.
He revealed that the former administration approved the said land to a company called CompleteVenture Nigeria Limited, adding that he was the liaison officer for the company.
Comrade Cyril Eboh who is also a former member of the Delta State Land and Waterways Security added that the late Orosuen of Okere Urhobo kingdom, the Board of Trustees, a management committee of every landed property in the Kingdom and the youth executive are all aware of the approval of the land by Delta state Government to the company to operate.
Also speaking the former Vice Youth President, Mr Nathiel Okumagba and Mrs Helen Eyikpemi apologised to the State Government over the protest by some youths in the community, stressing that they were misled by those who do not mean well for the kingdom.
They urged the management of the company to continue with their work on the land as their children would be gainfully employed by the company when it starts operations.
They urged residents of the kingdom to ignore the protest by the misled youths.
