By Admin 
****Call Governor Oborevwori a Father to All Deltans
BY PETER ONYEKACHUKWU, WSRRI
DELTA: Leaders of the Obotie Community have strongly criticised recent claims by the Sapele Okpe and Ugbukurusu communities over the ownership of the Okpe Sobo Forest Reserve in Delta State.
In a statement released on Monday, the Obotie leaders described the assertions made by Sapele Okpe as baseless, citing a government white paper that invalidated their claims to exclusive ownership of the forest reserve.
“The panel found that the Sapele Okpe Community’s claim of ownership over the Okpe Sobo Forest Reserve cannot be substantiated, as several communities had already been living in the area before its constitution.
Many of these communities were not of Sapele Okpe extraction, yet they exercised acts of ownership over their occupied lands,” the statement read.
The Obotie leaders also condemned what they described as “horrifying distortions” and “cheap blackmail” aimed at disrupting the peace process.
“This is merely an attempt to disrupt the peaceful resolution process that led to the government’s inspection and assessment of affected areas. Representatives from Sapele Okpe, Ugbukurusu, and SEPLAT were present during the official visits conducted by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution,” the statement noted.
They also dismissed calls by Chief Onoriode Temiagin for the removal of the Special Adviser, describing it as laughable and an attempt to shift the goalpost in the middle of a matter.
According to the Obotie leaders, the legal status of their community’s ownership was long established and affirmed by a 1925 Supreme Court judgment in the case of Muwunum vs. Achydoma (Suit No. MW/452/53 Jewiragba & Co vs. Jonomi).
“We make bold to say that the Obotie Community has existed in the Okpe Sobo Forest Reserve long before it was constituted. Our legal standing is cast in gold and has been affirmed by the Supreme Court,” they said.
The statement was signed by Pa Simeon Brikinn (Chairman), Pa Peter Ogholaja (Vice Chairman), Mr George Facah (Secretary, Obotie Elders Council), Engr. Samuel Atiwe (Chairman), and Hon. Fanemigho (Secretary, Obotie Management Council).
The Obotie leaders accused SEPLAT of conspiring with the Sapele Okpe leadership to frustrate their rightful claims.
“SEPLAT has engaged the leadership of the Sapele Okpe Community to undermine Obotie Community’s legal and rightful claims. This press briefing by Chief Onoriode Temiagin is nothing but an ill-motivated attempt to distort the facts,” they alleged.
They further questioned why Chief Temiagin and his associates were speaking on behalf of SEPLAT.
“How did Chief Onoriode Temiagin and his group suddenly become spokespersons for SEPLAT? This is a clear case of collusion aimed at depriving Obotie Community of its rights and entitlements as an impacted community,” the statement read.
The Obotie leaders also criticised the attacks on the Special Adviser to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, describing them as reckless and unwarranted.
“It is disgraceful that the Sapele Okpe Community and their allies have resorted to attacking government officials instead of engaging in peaceful dialogue. These actions mirror their tactics in an unresolved trespass suit, where they have dodged legal proceedings for 14 years while resorting to physical attacks,” they said.
They dismissed Sapele Okpe’s position as a “casual blackboard for juvenile graffiti” and accused them of attempting to force their position on SEPLAT.
The Obotie leaders called on Governor Oborevwori to disregard what they termed “reckless and baseless narratives” from the Sapele Okpe Community.
“Governor Oborevwori is the governor of all Deltans, not just the Okpe people. Chief Temiagin lacks the capacity to drag the exalted office of the governor into petty tribal tensions,” they declared.
The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to defending their community through legal means.
“We have survived past aggressions, and we will continue to protect our ancestral home within the ambit of the law. We urge the governor and the public to see through these falsehoods and resist any attempt to distort the truth.”