2nd (L), Ozukpogieva Pa. Osakue Eresuwa
From our news desk, Benin
The people of Erua Community, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Edo State have again cried out to the Benin Monarch HRM Oba Ewuare II to rescue them from the excesses and life threatening activities of one self acclaimed Okaighele, Ayo Omorogbe.
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On Tuesday, 27 January, 2026, the disputing parties in the leadership tussle of Erua community were at the Palace of the Oba of Benin to present the issues before the Chiefs; acting on behalf of the Oba.
The people pressed for the removal of Ayo Omorogbe as Okaighele (Youths Head) for not being satisfied with his services.
Also, that he was imposed on them by the suspended Enogie, Igbinovia Edomwonyi Clifford who had earlier removed him (Omorogbe) as Okaighele for his alleged dubious activities.
After hearing from all sides to the dispute, the Chiefs directed that the tradition and customs of the Benin people of waiting till three years after the passing of a substantive Odionwere before a new one is installed, should be strictly adhered to.
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When the time is due, they can present to the Monarch whoever is the next in ranking to be installed as the Odionwere, and who can now in his rights and privileges appoint whoever he deems fit as his Okaighele.
The Chiefs further directed that within the period status quo should remain as it were; all parties must refrain from the sales of land and all other connecting activities
adding that nobody is permitted to make trouble in the village.
But barely two days later, on Thursday, 29 January, 2026, the aggrieved people of Erua led by the Ozukpogieva (2nd ranking oldest man) Pa. Osakue Eresuwa cried out alleging that the said Okaighele had breached the Palace directive.
Pa. Peter Osakue Eresuwa further alleged Omorogbe has gone about announcing that the Palace has affirmed him as the substantive Okaighele.
“He has gone to the community using recruited hoodlums armed with guns and shooting indiscriminately, chased us out from the community.”
He is boasting that he is in charge and not accountable to anyone the people alleged, hence the appeal for the Palace to come to their aid, they said.
This is even while all parties to the dispute have been asked by the Oba Palace authority to return on the 6th February, 2026, for further directive on the prevailing situation in Erua, Pa. Eresuwa disclosed.
Also speaking, an elder from the community Pa. Andrew Amadin and Austin Obasohan corroborated the narrative of the Ozukpogieva.
The Palace graciously urged both parties to stay out of what will cause problems in the community till they will return on the date given to them, they said.
But that Omorogbe has chased them out of the community and does not want to respect and abide to the Palace decision on the dispute.
Therefore fearing for their safety, they had to again appeal to the Monarch HRM Oba Ewuare II to quickly call him and his backers to order before the situation snowballs into unpleasant tales.
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