Ora
By DADA AYOKHAI
The Ora community, under the Ora Traditional Council, has reaffirmed its support for Chief Jeffrey Eromose Okanigbuan as the rightful Oje of Ora in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State.
A group which tagged itself Concerned citizens of Sabongida Ora recently protested against Chief Okanigbuan’s alleged land grabbing, extortion, and imposition of farmland allocation fees and also.accused him of being a self-acclaimed Oje of Sabongida Ora.
In a statement issued by the Ora Traditional Council and Oje-in-Council, Ora Clan, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo Stat described the protest by the Evbiobe community as “purported” and claimed that the allegations made to the media were “false and unfounded”.
The press statement they said is meant to clarify the legitimacy of Chief Okanigbuan’s position as the Oje of Ora, asserting that he is not a self-acclaimed traditional ruler.
According to them ,Chief Okanigbuan was crowned and installed in February 2021in accordance with Ora customs, traditions, and the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Edict of 1979.
They further clarified that the only court case challenging Chief Okanigbuan’s installation was instituted by Evbiobe community which sought to restrain him from parading himself as Oje.was dismissed with an order that he should continue to perform his duties as Oje.
”Thereafter there has been no court order restraining him from carrying out the duties of the Oje of Ora. The High Court ruling is available for verification “
” The so-called protest was sponsored only by a section of Evbiobe community, led by individuals who lost out in their bid to occupy the Ojeship stool. Their actions are nothing but an attempt to mislead the public with baseless propaganda.”
The Council also strongly denied allegations of land grabbing, illegal sales of land, and indiscriminate land allocation.
”In line with Ora custom, all lands are communally owned, and the Oje-in-Council is responsible for safeguarding them.”
On.the issue of revenue collection, the Traditional Council claimed to have a subsisting court ruling dated June 26, 2025, authorizing them to collect royalties and revenues in Ora. The security agencies they said were notified before starting collection but suspended it after learning about the government ban.
-The council they said has written to the government seeking clarification and possible exemption, demonstrating their willingness to comply with the law.
The Council urged the public and media to disregard claims they deem malicious and instead support the leadership of HRH Chief Jeffrey Eromose Okanigbuan in promoting peace, unity, and progress in the Ora clan.
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Ora Community Unites Behind Chief Okanigbuan as their Rightful Oje
