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By Faheem Lawal
Tension is mounting in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State, as residents of Ogbenti-Obi Quarters and members of the Obi Dieyi Royal Family have appealed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to urgently intervene over alleged demolition of ancestral homes, destruction of structures, erection of fences and obstruction of access to residential properties in the area.
In a petition dated August 17, the residents alleged that a dispute rooted in the longstanding controversy over succession to the traditional throne of Ogwashi-Uku was now threatening to degenerate into a wider humanitarian and communal crisis.
The petition, signed by Onyenor Ogwu, Pius Izediunor, Nodu Izediunor and PC Izediunor on behalf of the Umu Obi Izediunor Royal Family of Ogwashi-Uku, called on the governor to intervene before further damage was done to properties and homes belonging to families who, according to them, had lived in the area for generations.
The petitioners stressed that their appeal was not intended to interfere with the judicial process or compel the governor to determine the underlying succession dispute.
Rather, they said, their request was for the state government to ensure that the enforcement of any court judgment was carried out strictly within the limits of the property and authority covered by the relevant order. The residents alleged that bulldozers were being deployed against houses and other structures in Ogbenti-Obi by Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo II, while fences and barricades were allegedly being erected, restricting or completely blocking access to some homes.
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They said the development had created considerable fear among residents, many of whom were now uncertain about which properties could be affected next.
The petitioners therefore urged Governor Oborevwori to ensure that enforcement of any existing judgment did not extend beyond the specific property covered by the judgment, particularly in cases involving homes belonging to people who were not parties to the original litigation.
According to them, the validity of a court judgment should not be interpreted as a licence to destroy properties or displace families whose homes and ancestral lands may fall outside the lawful scope of the order.
They maintained that government intervention at this stage would help prevent the situation from escalating into a larger communal crisis, while allowing the judicial process to run its course without imposing unnecessary hardship on residents who might have no connection with the original dispute.
The royal family and affected residents appealed to the governor to urgently examine the situation and take steps to protect lives and property, preserve peace in the community and prevent further destruction pending the resolution of all outstanding legal issues.
