Benins and Itsekiris warn against ceding their land to the Ijaws


Jethro Ibileke


October 4, 2011 07:00PM

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The Benin monarch, Oba Erediauwa has warned that no part of Benin kingdom will be ceded to the Ijaws living in Edo State or any other part of the country, just as the Itsekiri in Edo and Delta states have appealed to governors Emmanuel Uduaghan and Adams Oshiomhole to intervene in moves by the Ijaws to create Toru-Ibe State out of their lands.



This appeal was made yesterday when governors Adams Oshiomhole and Emmanuel Uduaghan led some Itsekiri chiefs to pay a courtesy call on the Benin monarch.

Oba Erediauwa who spoke through the prime minister of the Benin Kingdom, Sam Igbe, warned the federal government not to cede any part of his kingdom to the Ijaw for the purpose of creating a new state.

Erediauwa asked Governor Uduaghan to intervene in the matter, saying that the Benins have been living on their land even before the birth of Jesus Christ.

"We have forwarded our request to Abuja through out representative at the National Assembly. It has reached a stage where you will intervene. The two states (Edo and Delta) are yours. I don't think you will sit back and allow your state to be taken away without any reason. What we are against is taking somebody's land and gave it to another person. We don't have boundary with those who want to take our land."

He further recalled how the matter was reported to late military ruler, Sani Abacha and said it was wrong for the Ijaws to claim every part of the coastal region in Nigeria.

Speaking earlier, frontline politician, Joseph Ayomike said the demand for Toru-Ibe State was a threat to their homeland saying "We must no allow a repeat of colonialism."

He said that Nigeria is a country that has homelands adding, "It is strange that some group will come forward to claim Benin homeland, Itsekiri homeland. This will not be possible."

Delta State Governor, Uduanghan, in his response, said what concerns him as a governor are the security issues surrounding the creation of states. He thanked the Benin Oba for his prayers and support.

Actually i thought that only the Hausa/ fulani colonize lands for Nigeria!
You see we all have it in us.We only complain when we are at the recieving end.What is the boundary commission doing.Abi they are waiting until the marauding Ijaws over run there host.