THE decades-long land feud between the Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities in Udu and Warri South-West Local Government Areas of Delta State, respectively, has been a thing of concern to successive administrations in the state. As recent as the military era, the inter-communal clashes between the neighbouring communities have claimed lives and property, leaving some victims in trauma and perpetual anguish.
But recent development is a pointer that hostility may soon give way to embrace as stakeholders intensify efforts to consolidate on the peace foundation as currently laid by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
The current peace moves came at the end of a crucial meeting held at the governor’s residence at Osubi, a few months ago, where stakeholders and the members of the peace committee from both communities agreed to embrace peace, expressing readiness to accept the peace plans, just as they also expressed delight at the governor’s intervention to resolve the long-standing disputes. On his part, Governor Oborevwori commended the people for their commitment to reconciliation.
Since then, there have been appreciable outcomes in the follow-up meetings, relationship, and desire to accept one another, just as one of the protracted inter-communal feuds in the State is giving way to a more friendly and good neighbourliness among the warring groups.
If this is achieved, as it is being envisaged by stakeholders, Deltans would witness both peace and development, in addition to the security of lives and properties of members of the affected communities in Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh.
In one of the peace meetings by stakeholders at Warri South Secretariat, recently, far-reaching decisions were projected and accepted by both communities. Among the resolutions were sustaining and building upon the peace process, to collectively resist any individual attempting to undermine the peace process by erecting structures on the disputed land, stopping further publication or postings on social media, and the constitution of a think-tank committee that will look at possible boundary adjustment/permanent demarcation of the disputed land.
Before now, the state government has constituted various inquiries into the boundary dispute. These include Justice Azinge Panel of Inquiry of 1996, Justice Nwulu Panel of Inquiry of 2009, and Prof. Abednego Ekoko Panel of Inquiry of 2016.
The effort of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, through the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, is also worthy of mention here, as he created a forum that gave the parties a chance to meet and present their terms for peace. The outcome of these efforts was shaky.
However, one of the outcomes led to the demarcation of boundaries between the two communities from the Warri River up to Ogbe-Ijoh and Aladja Road, as well as to Major General Dumeje’s Canal, initially to the satisfaction of both communities, but peace continued to be elusive.
We are impressed by the commitment of the communities to chart a course that will guarantee lasting peace in their area. Their position is understandable because, after several interventions and mediation by several panels and authorities, it will be to their detriment if the current move initiated by Governor Oborevwori is undermined.
Going forward, stakeholders in the Aladja/Ogbe-Ijoh land dispute must show patriotic zeal and determination to make a bold statement that this lingering dispute is resolved in their time and that they can live as brothers. To achieve this, those championing the peace deal should ignore personal interest, ego, and detraction, but take up this challenge as a reward for Governor Oborevwori’s peace agenda. They must also be encouraged by their people and the government to achieve their aims.
We commend the Chairmen of Warri South West and Udu local government areas, Hon Sylvester Oromoni, and Olorogun (Hon) Vincent O. Oyibode, respectively, for hosting the meetings, and the security agents and officials who have participated in driving the peace process.
The final die is cast, and those concerned should not continue with the hostility but work to save their unborn children from facing possible homelessness, killings, and regular bloodbaths. This is not their thinking or the wish of any Deltan.
