Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, the state Commissioner of police and the traditional ruler of Ughelli Kingdom have been called upon to urgently intervene in the brewing land dispute between Ogbovwan and Afiesere communities in Ughelli North Local Government Area.
The call was by the people of Ogbovwan community who during a press conference accused its neighbouring Afiesere community of allegedly erecting two signposts at the centre of the community with the inscriptions “Welcome to Afiesere extension, Goodbye from Afiesere extension”.
In the press statement signed and read by Mr Oshevire Edward, the people of Ogbovwan community called on the state government to urgently intervene to avert conflict between both peace-loving communities.
Afiesere and Ogbovwan according to them are two neighbouring communities who have been living peacefully with one another from time immemorial adding that the cordial relationship is attributable to the healthy intermarriage between indigenes of the two communities.
The people of Ogbovwan community however noted that despite the existing age-long cordial relationship between them and Afiesere community, they felt disappointed when the relationship came under serious threat on Wednesday, 20 March, 2024 at about 10.30am.
They alleged that a group of youths from Afiesere community, in two Hilux pickup vehicles stormed Ogbovwan community and erected two big sign boards at both ends of Ogbovwan Community with the inscriptions: WELCOME TO AFIESERE COMMUNITY EXTENSION on one side of the bard and GOODBYE TO AFIESERE COMMUNITY EXTENSION on the other side of the same board.
They said their alleged action was not only worrisome but also highly provocative when Afiesere youths pulled down the signboard of Ogbovwan Secondary School and in its place erected their second signboard.
“Afiesere and Ogbovwan are two neighbouring communities who have been living peacefully with one another from time immemorial
“The cordial relationship between these two communities is no doubt attributable to intermarriage between Indigene of these two communities, whereby over 90 percent of the women married by Ogbovwan including my mother are from Afiesere.
“It is on record that, Afiesere and Ogbowwan communities have not had any land dispute between them and it is interesting to note that, the parcels of land belonging to some families of Afiesere but, are located in Ogbovwan community, are well known with their clearly defined boundaries.
“Similarly, parcels of land belonging to some families of Ogbovwan but, are located in Afiesere community, are also well known with their clearly defined boundaries.
“Regrettably, this long-standing and cordial relationship between these two communities came under a serious threat when, on Wednesday, 20 March 2024, and at about 10.30am, a group of youths of Afiesere Community, in two Hilux Pickup vehicles, stormed Ogbovwan community and erected two big sign boards at both ends of Ogbovwan Community with the inscriptions: WELCOME TO AFIESERE COMMUNITY EXTENSION on one side of the bard and GOOD BYE TO AFIESERE COMMUNITY EXTENSION on the other side of the same board and on both boards.
“It is indeed, not only worrisome, but also highly provocative that, the Afiesere youths pulled down the sign board of OGBOVWAN SECONDARY SCHOOL, and in its place, erected their second signboard.
“The Ogbovwan youths who were visibly angry were restrained by elders of Ogbovwan Community from confronting the Afiesere youths while in the process of erecting the sign boards.
All efforts made by the elders of Ogbovwan Community according to them to resolve the issue through dialogue with Afiesere people have so far, proved abortive.
They therefore appealed to the State Governor and other relevant authorities as well as critical stakeholders from both communities and Ughelli Kingdom to take urgent steps to resolve the issue before it snowballs into crisis.
“Some leaders from Ogbovwan community visited the President, Afiesere Community, Mr Ovweghrederolwo Richard who said, the issue was beyond him and he arranged a meeting between the two communities on Saturday, 23 March 2024, in the residence of the oldest man of Afiesere Community.
“At the meeting, youths of Afiesere, who were most vocal, said, the sign boards would not be removed, claiming that, there are parcels of land in Ogbovwan Community belonging to some families of Afiesere which, they “wish to preserve for their unborn generations.
“After these failed attempts. Ogbovwan Community had no option, but to formally petition the Governor of Delta State, State Commissioner of Police and also appealed to His Royal Majesty, the Ovie of Ughelli kingdom, to intervene and resolve the issue amicably.
“There is palpable tension because of this issue in Ogbovwan as, the entire community, is restive and agitated but, for the appeal for restraint by the elders of Ogbovwan community, the situation would have gone out of control.
“I am, therefore, constrained to appeal to our amiable Governor, His Excellency. Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to urgently, intervene in order to avert an imminent violent conflict between these two peace-loving communities.
“In the same vein, I am also, appealing to my brothers of Afiesere Community, notably, Engr. Matthew Edevbie, Olorogun David Edevbie, Col. Richard Itobore, Chief Francis Onobruchere and a host of others, to intervene to find an amicable solution to this impending inter-communal crisis.”
The people of Ogbovwan community restated their commitment to sustaining the hitherto robust relationship between them and the people of Afiesere community in line with the MORE agenda of the Oborevwori-led administration needed for sustainable development of the communities.
