The residents of Illushi/Ozigono community in Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State have expressed their disapproval of the selection of Fidelis Okowele, a non-native, as the Onojie, the traditional ruler of their community.
As a result, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and the Commissioner of Police in the region have been urged to take swift action to prevent any potential escalation of unrest within the state.
The organization emphasized that Okowele lacks any ancestral ties or affiliation with the residents of Illushi/Ozigono.
In a formal protest letter dated April 2, 2024, addressed to the governor, the police, Secretary to the State Government, and the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, and signed by Barrister Victor Giwa, the President of the Illushi Progressive Association of Nigeria, a request was made for the revocation of Okowele’s appointment.
In the letter, which was shared with the media, the association asserted that Okowele’s non-indigenous status disqualifies him from assuming the role of Onojie within their community.
The letter was also signed by the council of elders and other community leaders in Illushi/Ozigono.
‘Sir, our attention has been drawn to the news making round that your office has recognised one Fidelis Okowele as the Onojie of Illushi Ozigono community, of Esan South East Local government area. Of Edo state.
‘This news making the round in some official quarters is coming as a major concern to our people and it has heightened tension between the Illushi and Onogholo people of Esan south east local government.
‘Firstly, the said Okowele Fidelis is not in indigene of Illushi/Ozigono community and has no ancestral link or connection to the people of Illushi/Ozigono.
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‘Secondly, Illushi/Ozigono belongs to the Uloshi people whose ancestral home is Uloshi Community in Uroh/Uloshi community. And our dialect is Uloshi and it is distinct from Esan dialect, which is prevalent in the Esan south east area.
‘Thirdly, as corollary to the reasons above, our dead are buried in our community and all burial rites are performed in the same Illushi community.
‘Additionally, our people observe our cultural rites like Ogu, Eka, etc in the community.
‘In the contrary, the said Fidelis Okowele is not an indigene of the Illushi community, rather he is an indigene of Onogholo Community which neighbours and shares boundary with our Illushi community.
‘Therefore, any such recognition and appointment of a non-indigene of Illushi/Ozigono Community and specifically Fidelis Okowele is totally unacceptable, unimaginable and is rejected by us.
‘For the purpose of Clarity, We the Illushi/Ozigono indigenes and people hereby reject any form of recognition and appointment of Fidelis Okowele as Onojie, King, or Chief of Illushi /Ozigono Community or in any name in whatever manner it is described.
The elders cautioned that any endeavor to acknowledge, designate, inaugurate, or honor Fidelis Okowele in such a manner will encounter staunch opposition fueled by their united determination.
Hence, they called for an immediate halt to any ongoing or future actions related to the Head/Chieftaincy Illushi matter to prevent the risk of lawlessness and disorder.