It’s a matter of Benin people versus Ijaw in Edo state… There is tension in Edo state over the coronation of Godwin Oguyenbo, as the Pere of Olodiama Kingdom in Edo state. According to reports, the Benin people are saying that they have only one monarch in Edo South senatorial district, that is the Oba of Benin. According to them, the title Pere of Olodiama Kingdom does not exist because Gelegele is under the over-lordship of the Oba of Benin and there cannot be two monarchs in Benin.Meanwhile, the Edo State Government and the Benin Traditional Council, BTC, have described as abominable and sacrilegious, the coronation of Pere of Olodiama Kingdom, an Ijaw community in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, asserting that the entire Edo South senatorial district is an enclave of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, and no other person.

According to press release by Edo government, governor Godwin Obaseki has ordered the arrest and investigation of all those involved in the coronation, declaring that it was another attempt to cause crisis in the state, which according to him, will be resisted.

According to Benin people, the Ijaws in Gelegele are free to live in the area just as other ethnic groups that live in that axis. Any attempt to lay claim to non-existent title and community or village under any guise would be totally resisted.

​​​​​​​​