Afiesere Community says it has no land dispute with Ogbovwan community in Ughelli Local Government Area of Delta State.
Leaders of Afiesere community at a press briefing claimed that rather the people of Ogbovwan are customary tenants to their community.
In a statement signed by Olorogun Francis Onobruchere, the leaders of Afiesere community stated that the people of Afiesere have no reason to have a land dispute with Ogbovwan community.
Afiesere community according to them is a peace-loving community and has not at any time had a dispute with Ogbovwan community
They claimed that Ogbovwan community is a customary tenant to Afiesere because their ancestral home of Ogbovwan is about 3km from their present location adding what Afiesere community is doing is securing their land by erecting signposts
The leaders of Afiesere community acknowledged that a meeting of both parties was called to dialogue on the issue and it was resolved that they should meet within a fortnight.
They said they were surprised to hear that Ogbovwan community has petitioned Afiesere to the office of the Special Adviser on Peace and Conflict Resolution to the governor of Delta State and the traditional ruler of Ughelli Kingdom and Ughelli Council of Chiefs.
Despite this, the leaders said for the sake of peace they have advised their people not to respond to provocations of any sort from Ogbovwan community as they are not in any way oppressing or annexing the community.
“We have been expecting Ogbovwan community to call us for a follow-up meeting, but till now nothing has happened and we have decided to advise our people not to respond to any provocation of any sort from them.
“It is on this note that we want to state and mention that Afiesere community is at peace with Ogbovwan people.
“As you are aware, there are several land issues and it is on record that the present country home of the person who made that press release is in Afiesere community land.
“It is important for the state government to know that what we are doing is to secure our land, Oil field, and from where we erected our signboard to where our oil field is located belong to Afiesere community.
“We are not in any way oppressing or annexing the Ogbovwan community and currently we have not gotten any invitation from the state government or any relevant authorities.”
They restated their commitment to sustaining the age-long existing peace between them and Ogbovwan community as well as embracing the peace initiatives of the Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori.
