By Our Correspondent
THE Chairman of Kokodiagbene Community, Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, Comrade Sheriff Mulade has sued for peace and harmony between the people of Aladja in Udu Local Government Area of the State and the people of Ogbe-Ijoh/Isaba in Warri South West Local Government Area.
Speaking in Warri, the Community leader expressed deep concerns about the latest crisis in the areas and urged the people to embrace peace and live together as one people,saying the crisis was needless.
He said that; ” I am really disturbed by the crisis in these our Communities and I want to say that there is need for peace and harmony in Udu Local Government Area. There is no crisis between Aladja/Ogbe-Ijoh/Isaba that warrant such ultimatum on the general Ijaws to move out of Udu territory”, the Kokodiagbene Community Chairman said.
He appealed to all Urhobo and Ijaw youths to shun violence in spite of instigations perpetrated by enemies of progress as a result of the rapid development of urhobo land especially Udu axis which he said the Ijaws contributed over Forty percent.
“It is important for the youths to note that Ijaw and Urhobo have same historical backgrounds, intermarried and have been leaving together, we should not allow selfish and political tribal enemies to soar this age long existing relationship because of two communities land disputes that can be resolved peacefully without trading of words or bloodshed”, he stated.
“I am appealing to our royal Fathers in Ogbe-Ijoh, Isaba and Udu Kingdoms to prevail on their subjects to embrace peace and harmony. Leaders of the various ethnic groups should do the needful now to avert the looming ethnic crisis between the Urhobo and the Ijaws. We cannot afford another crisis. The two tribes should bury the hatchet now and allow peace to reign. If the cats and dogs can forgive each other, so why can’t we also forgive each other and allow peace to dominate our hearts, he added.
Comrade Mulade implored Delta State Government to be proactive in order not to allow any further crisis that will wreck havoc on the State again.
According to him;”The Delta State Government and security agencies should rise up to the challenge now in order to avoid bloodshed in our Communities. We are one people and we must continue to leave together as one. It is worthy to state here that the only benefit from war is destruction of lives and property our leaders should not allow this to happen.”
