NIGERIA — The people of Ugwashi-Uku staged a significant protest yesterday, converging on the Delta State Government House and other key government locations in the Delta State capital, Asaba, to express their discontent against Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo II, the traditional ruler of Ogwashi-Uku. The demonstrators, numbering over 2,000, accused the Obi of engaging in activities aimed at subjugating the local populace through the unlawful appropriation of their ancestral lands.
The unrest was precipitated by a controversial court ruling issued in Owa Oyibo, which granted the Obi and his representatives ownership of all lands in Ogwashi-Uku. In a protest letter dated October 23, 2025, addressed to Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff O. Oborevwori, the Executive Governor of Delta State, the Ogwashi-Uku Development Association (ODA) condemned what they described as a deliberate attempt to usurp their lands, rendering the community vulnerable to forms of feudalism. The letter was signed by President General Osamor Patrick Izu and Secretary General Adigwe Eluemuno Sunday.
Protesters reported that agents of Obi Okonjo II have commenced the forceful seizure of lands, leading to the eviction of families from their farms and harassing dissenters with legal actions and police arrests. This pattern of intimidation has fostered an atmosphere of fear among residents, prompting them to unite in their demands for justice and restitution. “We are being treated like enslaved individuals in our father’s land,” exclaimed one demonstrator as chants of resistance echoed through the streets.
Furthermore, a document circulated by the Palace Secretary, Ifeakanachukwu Emordi, imposed restrictions on entry to farmlands, necessitating explicit permission from the Palace. This edict has exacerbated concerns regarding the encroaching authority of the Obi, further galvanising citizens to voice their dissent.
The protesters first assembled at the Delta State Government House, where they demanded the intervention of the state government. Following this, they advanced to the Delta State House of Assembly, presenting their protest letter to the sergeant-at-arms, Mr. Scott Ehiwogun, for delivery to the Speaker. The citizens articulated their wish for immediate action regarding the land disputes and their desire to preserve their ancestral rights.
In addition to these locations, the community leaders visited the secretariat of Aniocha South Local Government, where the president general of the ODA elucidated the motivations behind the protest. The overarching message was clear: they seek safeguard measures for their lands and a cessation of what they view as an onslaught on their heritage.
The ODA’s letter outlined their grievances, insisting on recognition of their rightful claims over the lands they have cultivated for generations. They denounced the secret court judgment as a violation of their communal rights and urged the state government to investigate the matters thoroughly and restore justice.
The protest letter dated 23rd October, 2025 reads:
“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 fuedal 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 judgement 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. The people who opposed untraditional processes of installing Chiefs (including the Obi himself who untraditionally was installed in place of his elder brother who was rightful of the position by Ogwashi-Uku customs and traditions) were wrongly accused of criminal charges and made to go through Security and Judicial costs using the influence of their sister.
“Ogwashi-Uku has been treated as a personal property of Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo. Compensations, Proceeds and Donations due to Ogwashi-Uku are not paid into any Community account for Ogwashi-Uku but managed privately without accounting to the people. This is what happens to monies received as out of court negotiations on so called recovered lands without the knowledge and consent of original land owners.
“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 people are being suffered because before the Panel they proved that Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo and his younger brother Onyema Okonjo have criminal records and not worthy of being King and Prince over them.
PRAYERS
“We ask your Excellency to please:
1. Intervene promptly to stop Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo and his Agents from taking over as personal properties our ancestral lands. The Owa Oyibo High Court Judgement against “Persons Unknown” is against natural justice and not acceptable to the masses of Ogwashi-Uku who cannot be taken as unknown persons.
2. Stop the continued harassment of the people with the Obi’s contacts in the Securities (Police and the Military) and apparatuses of government. The incessant arrests for no just causes and taking victims to Abuja for Police investigations is frustrating and need to be stopped
3. Stop the spate of “land rebcoveries” by the Palace unless any Quarter/Village has formally complained to His Majesty and then the Quarter MUST be a party to the case as Plaintiff.
4. Stop the ‘NOTICE AND WARNING” issued by the Palace to Ogwashi-Uku citizens which makes it mandatory that any person who wants land to farm on their ancestral farmlands must obtain permission from the Palace.
5. Protect the Customs and Traditions of Ogwashi-Uku kingdom especially in installation of Chiefs and the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku a breach of which has cost Ogwashi people decades of disputes and underdevelopment.
6. Save Ogwashi-Uku people from perpetual embarrassment of having someone with criminal background as Traditional Ruler with consequent inferiority complex in committee of traditional leaders.
7. Protect the common man of Ogwashi-Uku from Palace armed men called “Vigilantes” (Lion Squad) and imported mercenaries the Obi and his brother Onyema Okonjo are using to send our people out of their farmlands and attack perceived opposition.
8. 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.
9. 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 OgwashiUku citizens.
10. 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.
“We remain loyal.*
President General Osamor Patrick Izu and Adigwe Eluemuno Sunday, Secretary General
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