An Open Letter to the Executive Governor of Edo State His Excellency, Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki -By Dokpesi Adidi Timothy

Come Over to Macedonia and Help Us: Iviukwe Community is Under Siege

Greetings Your Excellency,

I write to you this very moment with pains in my heart and the debt of my soul as one born in Edo State; and an indigene of Edo State. I am a true son of the soil from Etsako East Local Government (Agenebode, to be precise) from a Community known as Iviukwe Community. Your Excellency Sir, although an indigene of Edo State that I am, I have never been involved in the issues surrounding the politics and sensitive matters that involves the people of Edo State under your leadership. The simple reason is because I do not know the political dynamics and culture of that which pertains to the people and Edo State compare to Kaduna State where I grew up. This does not really mean to say I am not informed about what happens in Edo State; but, I try to thread with caution not to get involve directly. Nonetheless, in the past years I have been regular and have constantly visited the State so as to know much about my people and get fully acclimatized with the environment especially my immediate community.

The Iviukwe Community known for peace and hard work is currently under siege. The community in recent years has not known peace due to some internal crisis and conflicts. Your Excellency, It is possible that you are fully aware of what is happening in Iviukwe Community and feel very reluctant to get involve believing that the Community will solve problems themselves. It is also possible that you are aware of what is going in Iviukwe Community and thus pretend not to pay attention to what is happening. Again, It is also possible that you are not completely aware of what is happening in Iviukwe Community. Whichever the case is, Your Excellency, at this point as the Chief Security Officer of the State your interventions in our Community is of utmost urgency and immediate intervention.

Your Excellency Sir, the hallmark of the conflict was seen yesterday 18th May, 2022 when the youths of Iviukwe Community were ambushed by some Policemen who invaded the community. As of yesterday calls coming in from the locals were that Iviukwe Community was under siege by Policemen shooting sporadically, destroying and attacking houses and arresting both indiegenes and non-indiegenes. It was reported that indiegenes of the Iviukwe Community were denied access to the market in Agenebode yesterday; and some arrested. This for me is the height of the current conflict we are facing that has made sleep elude the eyes of the indigenes of Iviukwe Community.

My Distinguished Governor, I am not really aware of the causes of this conflict; and, I have not really listened to the parties involved. I am not taking sides with any of the parties and I am not really interested in knowing who is at fault. The conflict is multifaceted and very complex from the little I have heard and it involves so much; as it is, there is a need for a Macedonian call from your esteemed office and interventions. Your Excellency Sir, conflicts are an integral part of human society and it is envisaged. I thought these conflicts would have eluded us by now; but, it seems those who are even supposed to broker the peace in this case are helpless.

Your Excellency, my interest in this case is for peace to reign in our Community. All we want is peace and hence, your intervention in this matter calls for urgent concern or else the Iviukwe community under your very watch will be filled injuries and destruction of lives and properties. As it is, properties are already been destroyed and some even becoming homeless. My Distinguished Governor, as it is in Iviukwe Community the indiegenes no longer sleep with their eyes close. Our parents, grand-parents and great grand-parents are living in morbid fear and exaggerated anxiety. I have heard and seen on social media how the women of Iviukwe both young and old have cried for help; but, no help came. Your Excellency Sir, may we in Iviukwe Community not become strangers in our own land.

Your Excellency, as you swing into prompt action I will advise that you hold a town hall meeting in Iviukwe and hear directly from the people themselves of their experiences, their pains, and their sorrows. Should you need also an objective representation of the happenings I can assure you that there are people who can give you objective report almost devoid of sentiments. Nevertheless, listen to both sides of the divide so you can be sure everyone has a fair hearing. As earlier said, the issues are multifaceted. I don’t have any information at my disposal to speak; but, the conflicts therein are man-made conflicts and as such have man-made solutions. The only information I have is that the people of Iviukwe Community want peace and they deserve to live in peace under your very watch.

Please come over to Macedonia and help us.

ADIDI, Dokpesi Timothy
Iviukwe Indigene
+2348138605055