Edo Governor Establishes Inquiry Commission to Resolve Oke-Oroma Land Dispute

The long-standing land dispute in Oke-Oroma is set to be revisited as Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has announced the establishment of a commission of inquiry to address the contentious issue.

This move marks a significant departure from the approach of the previous administration, led by Governor Godwin Obaseki, which faced criticism after demolishing houses in the community, citing the land as state property.

The demolitions, justified by claims that the land had been sold without proper authorization, left many residents displaced and deepened tensions in the area.

The announcement came during a meeting held in Benin City with community leaders, affected residents, and victims of the demolitions.

Governor Okpebholo, accompanied by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, used the opportunity to reaffirm his administration’s commitment to justice and fairness.

Governor Okpebholo reminded the gathering of his campaign pledge to revisit the matter, stating,

“I remember during my campaign, I promised to revisit this matter. Now I am here, and we will listen to your voices. In the next few days, I will invite you to the Government House to back my promises with action.”

The governor also hinted at potential corrective measures, assuring stakeholders that if the commission’s findings prove the lands rightfully belong to the people, he would revoke improperly issued Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) and return the properties to their rightful owners.

Acknowledging the prolonged suffering of the affected residents, Governor Okpebholo urged the community to maintain peace as the government takes decisive action.

He further committed to engaging security personnel to ensure safety and calm in the area.

“Our responsibility as a government is to provide security. I will engage the appropriate authorities to ensure security personnel are deployed here to restore peace,” he stated.

The governor’s intervention has rekindled hope among the affected residents, who have long sought justice.

Many expressed optimism that the commission of inquiry would not only clarify ownership issues but also restore confidence in the government’s ability to address grievances.

This development signals a new chapter in the Oke-Oroma land saga, with stakeholders keenly anticipating the outcome of the inquiry and the subsequent actions of the Okpebholo administration.

As the commission gets underway, the spotlight remains on how the Edo State government will navigate this sensitive issue to ensure fairness, restore peace, and foster trust among the people.