Eben Enasco Reporting.
Residents of Maoghionba Village in Edo State’s Ovia South West Local Government Area, are pleading with Governor Monday Okpebholo to intervene in a land grabbing issue currently affecting their farm settlements.
They claimed their lands were forcefully taken and awarded to unknown investors by the past administration, led by former Governor Godwin Obaseki.
The Protesters’ are demanding to
recover lands illegally ceded without their consent, including BC9 linking Okomu Oil company, hult development plans by the new illegal occupants.
They are calling for their Protection from harassment and intimidation by security operatives the former governor has unleashed on the people of Maoghionba village
Village head Pa Omorotionmwan Owakemwonyi leads the protest, warning that the land grabbed by former governor Godwin Obaseki will limit farming in the locality.
Pa Omorotionmwan, stated that as the Odionwere of the village, he lacks any involvement during and after the investors engagement with the former governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki.
This, he said, will leave their people hungry and stranded, adding that; for three years they have been in the struggle to recover the portion of their farm settlement awarded to Obaseki’s investors.
While condemning what he described as the oppressive nature of the former governor, he said they have strong belief in Governor Monday Okpebholo to help recover the grabbed portions of their ancestral lands.
Former Governor Godwin Obaseki faces criticism over alleged land grabs in Edo State, including Oke Oroma ancestral home and other areas in Orhionmwon South, including, Evbuesi, Ugo, Umogun N’ khua, Okogbo, Urewue, Igbekhue, Sokponba, Idunowina and Ovia Southwest Local Government Areas.
Locals in these villages have accused him of ceding lands to unknown investors, sparking widespread concern and condemnation.