By ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA
The traditional ruler of Issele-Azagba in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, His Majesty, Obi Agbogidi Francis Jidouwa, has stated that Otulu Community remained part of his Kingdom, that it was politically carved into Aniocha South LGA.
The Obi, who was with members of his Obi-in-Council among other prominent sons of Issele-Azagba, stated this while briefing the Press on, Thursday, September 23, 2021, in his palace, following the alleged unfounded insinuations and claims by some Ogwashi-Uku money bags that Otulu belongs to them.
The aged Monarch, who said Otulu was a farm camp/enclave of and under Issele-Azagba, disclosed that in the year 1990, the then military government of Bendel State invited him to the official commissioning/opening ceremony of Otulu market because it belongs to his Kingdom and as the host traditional ruler. Adding that the Secondary and primary schools where established by the approval/lands donation of his Kingdom as well as the naming of the secondary school after an Issele-Azagba son.
“When Otulu market was commissioned in 1990, I was the one who went to receive the military governor then when he came to commission it. There was no other person that came. If Otulu did not belong to Issele-Azagba, why was it that it was only me that was mandated to come for the commissioning ceremony? We from Issele-Azagba were the only ones who welcomed the military governor on the day the market was commissioned.” Obi Jidouwa disclosed.
According to the revered Monarch “the then Secretary to the Bendel State Government (Isaac Okonjo) used his influence to commit the anomaly. Otulu is an enclave of the Issele kingdoms of Issele-Uku, Issele-Mkpitime and Issele-Azagba, all being of the Umu-Ezechime clan in Aniocha North Local Government Area. Otulu was never an enclave of Ogwashi-Uku, it has been part of Issele-Azagba.
“We were all in the defunct Aniocha Local Government Area before the split of the area into Aniocha North and Aniocha South Local Government. It was the split that created the anomaly with the erroneous carving of Otulu into Aniocha South Local Government area.
“Let the government bring Otulu back to Issele-Azagba where they truly belong. We don’t want violence, we want peace; we are peaceful people,” Obi Jideuwa said, adding that, “The movement of Otulu to Aniocha South Local Government was political. The secondary school is in our land.”
The renowned Delta monarch recalled with regret the betrayal of the Isseles, that it was one of the sons of the Issele’s who was given charge of Otulu as the Odozoani, a traditional representative who shamelessly sold out to the people of Ogwashi-Uku.
He revealed that there are cases in court and many which “we have won since 1963”, adding that there are Supreme Court judgments in favour of Issele-Azagba on the issue of Otulu belonging to Issele-Azagba, as well as a government Gazette on the issue.
While promising to make the Gazette available to journalists subsequently, Obi Jidouwa called on the Governor of the State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa to wade into the matter with a view to averting any form of violence, saying that the people of Issele-Azagbe will not fold their hands and watch their heritage taken away from them.