AGBOR-DELTA STATE: A wave of unrest has swept through the Owa-Oyibo community in Agbor, Delta State, as residents have taken to the streets in peaceful protest, raising their voices against what they describe as a systematic and ongoing abuse of power by the royal leadership.
Central to the protest is a formal petition submitted against His Royal Majesty, Emmanuel Efeizomor II, the revered Obi of Owa Kingdom, along with several key members of his family and associates.
The protest, led by Hon. Nkeki Uzor Benson, a respected community leader, former councillor representing DSIEC Ward 2, and the current Chairman of the Owa-Oyibo Development Initiative (commonly referred to as Amame Hie Youths), has brought serious allegations to light.
The community accuses the monarch and his close allies of unlawfully acquiring communal and private lands belonging to the people of Owa-Oyibo and selling them to affluent individuals and external investors without proper consultation or consent from the landowners.
Named in the petition are the Obi’s sons, Prince Amos Efeizomor and Prince Bright Efeizomor, along with Chief Amos Agbogwu, Barrister Raymond Isitor, and Princess Helen Efeizomor.
These individuals are alleged to have played key roles in the unauthorized transactions, reaping enormous personal gains while leaving the original landowners dispossessed and impoverished.
Addressing journalists during a media interaction in Asaba, Hon. Nkeki did not mince words in expressing the frustration of the people. The burden has become too heavy for the people of Owa-Oyibo to carry, Nkeki stated. Our ancestral lands that have sustained our forefathers and continue to serve as our economic backbone are being taken from us and sold off to the highest bidder.
These lands are being turned into luxury estates, while our people, the rightful owners, remain in poverty, many still riding bicycles and struggling to afford basic necessities.
Nkeki went on to question the morality and foresight of the royal family’s actions, highlighting the disillusionment growing among the youth and elders alike. If the Obi, at 87 years old, is the one orchestrating or allowing this to happen, what will his sons do when they ascend the throne? What future does that hold for our children and generations to come? There is deep concern about the direction in which our kingdom is headed.
The people claim that they have endured years of intimidation, threats, and silence in the face of these developments, with many community members reportedly afraid to speak out for fear of reprisal from the powerful royal household.
Nkeki emphasized that the current protest is not just about land, it is a call for justice, accountability, and the protection of a people’s heritage.
The petition detailing these grievances has been submitted to the Executive Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, and to the Speaker of the Delta state house of assembly Hon. Emomotimi Guwor. Nkeki confirmed that the Speaker acknowledged receipt of the petition and has promised to escalate the matter to the appropriate authorities, including the Governor’s office, for immediate attention and intervention.
Despite the assurances, Nkeki stressed that the community is prepared to go further if their concerns are not addressed promptly. We are ready to escalate this to the National Assembly in Abuja, he said. And we won’t stop there. We will protest to the embassies of the United States, the United Kingdom, and France.
The international community needs to be aware of what is happening here. Our people are being robbed of their birthright, and we will no longer stay silent.
The growing tension has cast a shadow over the Owa Kingdom, which has long been regarded as a cultural and historical cornerstone of Delta State. Many residents have expressed hope that the Governor and other relevant authorities will step in to mediate and put a stop to what they view as a gross injustice.
While the royal palace has yet to issue an official response to the allegations, the people of Owa-Oyibo remain resolute. Their message is clear: they want their lands back, they want an end to intimidation, and they want a leadership that protects, rather than exploits, the legacy of their ancestors.
As the protest movement gains momentum and national attention, all eyes are now on the Delta State Government and the royal family of Owa Kingdom. The outcome of this crisis may set a precedent for how traditional institutions across Nigeria manage land rights and community trust in the 21st century.
Hon. Nkeki issued a powerful plea to the authorities and those involved: “They should let the poor breathe.”
