By Austin Ogwuda
…as they storm Government House, Delta House of Assembly, Aniocha South LG Council secretariat
SCORES of protesters from Ogwashi-Uku community in Aniocha South local government area of Delta State, Nigeria, on Thursday stormed Government House Asaba on a peaceful protest accusing the Obi of Ogwashi Uku of allegedly “sending away our people from their ancestral farm lands”.
The protesters stated that “We are frustrated by the continued delay of the Delta State Government in releasing the White Paper on the outcome of the Judicial Panel of Enquiry set up by the Delta State Government on Land and Traditional Leadership challenges in Ogwashi-Uku.
“This undue delay has emboldened the Obi and his family in suffering the people and claiming their ancestral lands”.
The petition which they addressed to the Governor, titled ‘ATTEMPT TO ENSLAVE THE PEOPLE OF OGWASHI-UKU’, dated 23rd October 2025 reads in part:
“We, the people of Ogwashi-Uku under the registered and recognized community development association of our kingdom (Ogwashi-Uku Development Association (ODA)) protest to your Excellency and the world at large the deliberate activities of Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo 11, the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku to enslave the people of Ogwashi-Uku especially through cunning takeover of our lands and viewing the Monarchy as in a feudal land tenure system with absolute powers.
“Our attention has been drawn to a secret court judgement at faraway Owa Oyibo, Ika South Local Government Area in a case between Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo and Prince Ifeakanachukwu Emordi Vs Persons Unknown which grants the Petitioners possession (ownership) of “all lands of Ogwashi-Uku”. This court judgement was followed up by obtaining authority to take possession of the lands and subsequent condoning and bulldozing of lands in some quarters recently.
“The judgment has become disturbing since Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo or his agents have commenced taking possession of the lands, sending away our people from their ancestral farm lands and harassing others with petitions and consequent Police arrests.
“A Notice and Warning was issued under the Seal of His Majesty and signed by the Palace Secretary Ifeakanachukwu Emordi which restricts persons entering their farmlands unless with the permission of the Palace. Before this time the citizens had been terrorised by the Palace and their agents through arrests and court processes on phantom charges to shut everyone up like slaves in our father’s land.
“We are frustrated by the continued delay of the Delta State Government in releasing the White Paper on the outcome of the Judicial Panel of Enquiry set up by the Delta State Government on Land and Traditional Leadership challenges in Ogwashi-Uku.
“This undue delay has emboldened the Obi and his family in suffering the people and claiming their ancestral lands.
Prayers:
“Grant that each Village (OGBE) with allies takes their right of autonomy if Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo with these enslavement tendencies be continually imposed on Ogwashi-Uku.
“Show the citizens of Ogwashi-Uku that the Government has listening ears to all petitions of the people to Government on external and internal abuses of Ogwashi- Uku citizens
“Stop deliberate attempts to forcefully remove Dr Jude Okocha as the Registrar of Delta State Polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku even when all Investigative Panels have exonerated him of all accusations. Government should attend to our petitions and not only produce White Papers but see to execution of the decisions necessary to bring peace and order in the kingdom. Ogwashi people are no conquered people.
“The people are being pushed to the wall”, the petition stated.
Receiving the protesters at Government House Asaba, the Senior Political Adviser to the Governor, Senator Emmanuel Aguariawodo on behalf of the governor commended the protesters for their peaceful conduct adding that the contentious issues would be addressed speedily to facilitate early ret
The petition was signed by President General of the Ogwashi Uku Development Association (ODA), Sir Patrick Osamor and Secretary General, Mazi Adigwe Eluemunor.
The protesters were also at the Delta State House of Assembly complex where a copy of their protest letter was presented to the Sergeant-at-Arms, Mr Scoth Ehiwogun for onward presentation to the Speaker, Rt Hon Dennis Gwuor.
They also visited the secretariat of Aniocha South local government Council secretariat where the reasons for their protest were outlined by the ODA President General, Patrick Osamor.
