The people of Uzanu community in Estako East Local Government Area of Edo State have expressed their gratitude to the immediate past minister of state for budget and national planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba for the restoration and recognition of their clanship status.
In a statement by the Secretary of the Oliola-in-Council, Benjamin Momoh, the southeast Uneme clan also thanked a former governor of Edo State and incumbent senator for Edo North, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for his foundational role in creating the clan in the first instance.
Momoh’s statement was issued on a day the deposed Oliola of Uzanu, Benjamin Ikani, was reportedly handed a staff of office by the outgoing Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, because of Ikani’s political affiliation with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The statement by Momoh reads: “The South-East Uneme Clan has finally been restored, thanks to the efforts of Prince Clem Agba, despite the initial setbacks caused by Governor Obaseki.
“It is great to see the Oliiola-in-Council, youth, and entire community coming together to mark this restoration, no thanks to Obaseki but a load of gratitude to the original facilitator of the creatuon of the clan, namely Prince Clem Agba.
“It is a popular axiom that thieves have no honour and that no one appreciates a thief for returning stolen items.
“It’s also important to note that the community has taken a firm stance on the removal of Benjamin Ikani as the Oliola of Uzanu due to his atrocities.
“This decision has been formally communicated to the relevant authorities, including the Etsako East Local Government Chairman, Commissioner of Women Affairs, and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
“Surprisingly, we heard on a good authority that outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki, because of PDP party affiliation with the de[posed Oliola, has given a staff of office to him (Benjamin Ikani) against the decision of the kingmakers and the reasonable expectations of community that the decision of the people should be respected and upheld.
“It is on record that the said Benjamin Ikani attended a PDP rally in Agenebode, and the outgoing governor should not allow unconscionable political consideration to compel him to upend the decision of Uzanu people to depose Ikani as their Oliola.”
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