The Ijaw-Apoi people in Ese-Odo area of Ondo State have asked the Federal Government to urgently intervene in the standoff between Benin and Ijaw kingdoms in the Ovia South West Local Government area of Edo State. The Toboidoi of lgbekebo, High Chief Segun Dabo, made this known on behalf of the Ijaw-Apoi Traditional Council representing the Ijaw-Apoi confederation in Sabomi, Ondo state.
He said,“We express solidarity with the people of Okomu-Apoi Kingdom and other Ijaw clans in Edo State in their quest for inalienable political, administrative and traditional independence.“The crisis is not only the result of the agelong marginalization of the Ijaw in Edo State but also the continued brazen denial of the Ijaw people their inalienable rights to rule themselves.
"We declared that the Edo State government should accord the traditional ruler of Okomu-Apoi its appropriate recognition in the First Class status, including other Ijaw kingdoms, as it has done for the other traditional rulers among the Bini, Ishan, Afenmai, Agbor and other ethnic groups in the state.“We therefore call on the Edo state government for urgent redress in the interest of humanity.
"We call on the Federal Government to urgently intervene in the brewing crisis between the Ijaws and Binis and urge that the Edo state Government do justice to all for the much cherished peace.”