3rd from right, Okaighele Evbuomwan Augustine leading others in appeal to HRM Oba Ewuare II and other relevant authorities for intervention
From our news desk, Benin
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The people of Iguovbiobo in Uhunmwode Local Government Council Area of Edo State, have cried out for help over the alleged siege of an imposed leader who was identified as Bright Oviasogie.
Oviasogie who they call ‘Leader’ as obtained in the political realm, was said to have been imposed on the people by the late Odionwere (Village administrative Head), Pa. Jacob Osaighae as his aide even when there was Okaighele (youth Head) and the council of elders.
In this capacity, he became a sole administrator and an emperor lording it over the people for many years and subjected them to all manner of harassment and brutality.
On behalf of the people, Nosa Ugowe an elder who lives in the Village narrates their ordeal to journalists on Tuesday, 21 January, 2025 crying for the quick intervention of the Benin Monarch, HRM Oba Ewuare II, Edo State Government and all other relevant authorities.
According to him; the Odionwere before he died in February last year, and members of the council of elders including his appointed aide; Bright Oviasogie, all live in Benin-City from where they run the affairs of Iguovbiobo.
None of them have their personal house in the Village and only come in to sell land, take the proceeds to Benin and share amongst themselves; to the detriment of the growth and development of Iguovbiobo and her people.
Absolutely there is nothing to show for the leadership of the Oviasogie led administration with a pervading dearth of infrastructure and other social amenities.
The Village is suffering from acute erosion and gully problems, no light as the only electricity transformer has since parked up and many other physical challenges.
Yet, these people who claim to be the leaders of Iguovbiobo do not worry but are only interested in amassing wealth for themselves from the sales of the Village landed property, which has collective ownership.
Any money donated for the development of the Village to give the people better quality of life is diverted into their private pocket.
For example, the funds donated by Iguovbiobo natives in the diaspora have been embezzled by Oviasogie and his cohorts, yet feeling aloof and not answerable to anyone.
Even now that the substantive Odionwere has passed on, Oviasogie continued to hold on to power not allowing the Okaighele or elders to operate.
Whereas; there is no place for the office of a ‘Leader’ historically in the administrative hierarchy of the people in Benin Kingdom; except for the Okaighele who is always the appointee of the Odionwere, after the elders.
Yet, Oviasogie in the efforts to cling on to power for his self gains, has resorted to harassing and terrorising the people with unprovoked incessant police arrest especially the youths; who are often detained in custody for several days and weeks before bail is granted, over unsubstantiated claims and allegations.
Sometimes, he invades the Village with armed thugs who sporadically shoot to silence anyone who would dare raise a voice.
He sacked the Village the last time they invaded, with many persons sustaining bullet wounds and hospitalised.
Presently, the people of Iguovbiobo are living in fear of the unknown and in search of who to give them reprieve, from the oppressive reign of the illegality and brutality of Oviasogie and cohorts.
In the same vein, another elder, Ezomo Jesuobo, Okaighele Evbuomwan Augustine and the women folk corroborated the narrative of Pa. Ugowe.
Representatives of the women folk
Our roads are in a bad state, nothing to celebrate, almost all the entire land space has been sold, now we are even having the challenge of finding land space for farming. Yet, they don’t account to the people of Iguovbiobo.
They sell as much as 100, 200 plots as the case maybe and we don’t see the money. So we demanded that since we don’t have Odionwere yet, Oviasogie and cohorts should give way and allow us to pilot our own affairs until a new Odionwere is put in place.
Instead, they are harassing and terrorising us with armed thugs and incessant police arrest, to continually suppress us.
Lamenting the crisis situation, they appealed for peace saying it is only the Oba of Benin, HRM Ewuare II who has the authority to superintend on community and land matters; and not thugs nor the police who are allegedly being used to harass and arrest the people.
However, efforts to reach the alleged, Bright Oviasogie for response as at the time of filing in this story for publication on Wednesday, was not successful.
