A statement made available to Arogbo-Ibe Voice Reporters faulted the recent motion raised in the House of Representatives regarding the proposed Toru-Ebe State, insisting that Edo Ijaws will not be subjected to what it described as “infantile and historically hollow legislation.”
According to the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Western Zone, the attempt to exclude Edo riverine Ijaw territories from the proposed state is “an assault on facts, identity, and the constitutional rights of the Ijaw people.”
The statement, signed by the Western Zone leadership, reaffirmed that Ijaws in Edo State are the original aboriginal owners of their communities and do not require approval from the Edo State Government, Benin Kingdom, or any external body to determine their affiliation in matters of state creation.
The publication sent to our correspondent reads in full below:
TORU-EBE STATE CREATION: EDO IJAWS SHOULDN’T SUFFER OMOSEDE GABRIELLA IGBINEDION INFANTRY LEGISLATION – IYC
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Western Zone have listened with dismay the inappropriate cum unfounded statement by Hon. Omosede G. Igbinedion the House of Representatives Member representing Ovia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives who moved a motion of public importance for the exclusion of Edo State riverine terrain from the Toru-Ebe State.
Hon. Omosede claim of Ijaw territories been owned and controlled by the Benin Kingdom is not only baseless but absolutely unfounded as Ijaws are the aboriginal of where they reside in Edo state today, while the Benin Kingdom is only an offspring of desperate migrants from the old Oyo empire.
Let it be made clear that on the issue of State creation Ijaws in Edo State do not need the consent or permission from Edo State Government nor any ethnic nationality to be part of Toru-Ibe State. All Ijaw Towns and settlements are solely domicile in the five Major Ijaw clans in Edo State and no part of our land is captured under the Monarchy of Oba of Benin.
Our identity is Ijaw and will remain so for life, there have been no time where any Ijaw Monarch in Edo State have paid tribute or royalty to Oba of Benin. Therefore Hon. Omosede and gang of half baked legislators should desist from interfering with the Ijaw decision to be Part of Toru-Ebe State.
The leadership of IYC Western zone therefore write to condemn the resolution as reached in the motion raised by Hon. Omosede and her cohorts.
1. Condemn in strong terms the claim that no part of Edo State can be ceded to join the proposed Toru-Ebe State: This claim, championed by the Benin Kingdom and its allies, is misleading and aimed at hindering genuine nation-building and development. The IYC and the Ijaws in Edo State do not require the permission of the Benin Kingdom—or any other group—to decide the inclusion of their ancestral lands in the Toru-Ebe State. Ijaw territories belong to the Ijaw people, and their decision regarding state creation is solely their constitutional right.
2. Affirm that no individual, caucus, or regional body can offer Edo land without the consent of its people and due constitutional process: The IYC notes that Benin Kingdom is too infinitesimal to approve or consent for Ijaws to join Toru-Ibe State. We do not need permission from any individuals or group to pursue our self realisation.
3. Call on the President, Senate President, and Speaker of the House to reject any recommendation involving Edo territory: The IYC in same vein call on all the the forgoing authorities to ignore the baseless claims of the Edo State government and Benin Kingdom as all aboriginal Ijaws from Edo is in sink with the creation of Toru-Ebe State.
4. Urge stakeholders in the South-South region to avoid actions that endanger unity and historical integrity: The IYC cautions that the only true historical integrity of the Benin Kingdom is their migration from the old Oyo empire. So the lay of claim on Ijaw territories is a joke taken to far. IYC therefore calls on all relevant stakeholders in the region to caution the Benin Kingdom in other not in incure the anger of the Ijaws.
5. Mandate relevant committees on Constitutional Review, Intergovernmental Affairs, and State Creation to investigate the matter and uphold established boundaries: IYC also calls on all relevant authorities to swiftly look into the boundary adjustment between 5 Ijaw Kingdoms in Edo and Benin to avoid further executive rascality from the Edo State Government and Legislative Incompetence from National Assembly Members from Edo State.
6. Reaffirm the commitment of the Edo people to protect their land and heritage, clearly stating that Edo land is not up for negotiation: The IYC notes that Benin Kingdom should take responsibility in protect their lands and reaffirm commitments to protecting the lands in Ijaw territories. Ijaw Lands belongs to Ijaw people and we are solely responsible for what ever decision we make with the said lands.
Lastly the leadership of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Western Zone concludes by calling on all Ijaw Legislators in the National Assembly to rise to occasion and take responsibility in protecting our common patrimony from strangers who do not mean well for us.
Signed:
Nicholas Tamaradenyefa Igarama
Chairman IYC Western Zone
Delta, Edo & Ondo
Ebi Joshua Olowolayemo Esq.
Secretary
Comrade Tare Magbei
Information Officer
