By Emeka Nwokocha
The President General of Isoko Development Union (IDU) High Chief Iduh Amadhe, has called on the people of Oleh and Ozoro communities to remain calm, saying, “on my watch, IDU will not take sides, or be biased in communities crises,” adding that the Union would always promote peace as the umbrella body of Isoko ethnic nationality.
Amadhe made the statement on Sunday15 November, during a stakeholders meeting of Isoko people, held at the National Secretariat of Isoko Development Union, Oleh, headquarters of Isoko South local government area of Delta State.
Continuing, Amadhe stated that the disputed land between Oleh and Ozoro communities was reported to I.D.U in April 2016 by Engr. Clifford Anakpoha, former President General of Ozoro Kingdom, who is now the Vice President General of Isoko Development Union.
He said, “on 27th of April 2016, the executive of Isoko Development Union appointed peace committee to ensure amicable resolution of the crisis in both communities over the disputed land.”
Amadhe stated that the report by the Land Dispute Resolution Committee was presented to I.D.U but was rejected by Ozoro leaders through a letter on September 2017.
The President General also noted that tension and serious threats to life was reported by Sir Raphael Afemare just as swearing an oath was done on the 15th of June 2018 by the two communities in the presence of government officials and the executives of Isoko Development Union.
He maintained that the state government through the office of Peace Building and Conflict Resolution took over the settlement of the crisis on July 2018, even as the two Councils were represented in all meetings that had been convened. Amadhe added that a reminder to government for quick resolution to the crisis was sent in early 2019.
He appealed to the state government and the two Councils Chairmen to resolve the crisis, noting that Oleh and Ozoro are headquarters of the two local government areas, where students from other ethnic nationalities and indigenes of other clans reside.
Amadhe stated that “It will be madness for Ozoro and Oleh to go to war because of the proximity and effects of war, just as he appealed to Isoko political leaders and traditional rulers to ensure peace reigns in both communities and the entire Isoko nation.
He, however, cautioned that the propagation of falsehood about Isoko Development Union must be discourage, stressing that the Apex body of Isoko Nation will always promote peace but not to encourage crisis in any community.
Amadhe appealed to Oleh people to remain calm over the death of the 12 indigenes of the community, as the state government, the Councils Chairmen, and security agents are on top of the situation to unravel the perpetrators of the dastardly act and resolve the crisis amicably for lasting peace to reign.
Present at the meeting were Hon. Kenneth Ogba, member Delta State House of Assembly, Isoko South constituency 1, Major General Paul Omu (Rtd), Professor Abednego Ekoko, traditional rulers, clergymen, Presidents General from Isoko South and North, executive members of Isoko Development Union and a cross section of women and youths from various Isoko communities.
