The traditional ruler of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom in Aniocha South Local Council of Delta State, Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo II, has reaffirmed his resolve to rid his kingdom of corruption, especially in land administration, and to combat poverty hindering progress in the community.
   
Okonjo, who ascended the throne in 2019, made this known through his Chief of Staff, Prince Onyema Okonjo, while reacting to a recent protest by a faction of the community at the Delta State Government House, Asaba, over alleged grievances concerning land ownership.
   
Describing the protest as “a failed attempt to mislead the public,” the monarch dismissed claims that he had unlawfully sold communal lands or exceeded his traditional powers.
   
“Nobody can say Obi has sold land to anyone or taken laws into his hands. The Obi is fully in control as custodian of all land in Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom and will continue to exercise his authority 100 per cent,” Prince Okonjo said.
   
Speaking to journalists at the weekend on the recurring disputes over land ownership, Okonjo said the monarch’s administration was committed to restoring order and transparency in the kingdom’s land governance system, which had long been plagued by corruption and abuse of trust.
   
“Our focus is to control the mess in Ogwashi-Uku through the instrumentality of the rule of law. We will stamp out all forms of corruption, no matter who is involved, so that meaningful development can thrive,” he said.  He accused some individuals within the community of deliberately undermining peace and the Obi’s leadership since his enthronement.
 
“When the Obi fixed his calendar for the Ineh (New Yam) Festival, they went ahead to fix theirs just to cause confusion,” he noted. “These individuals are not satisfied; they thrive on mischief. But we are not going to give oxygen to a failed protest or their unlawful demands. At some point, there has to be finality to this mischief for us to move forward.”
   
Okonjo commended the people of Ogwashi-Uku for their massive turnout during this year’s Ineh Festival, which he described as the most peaceful and well-attended in nearly two decades.
   
“For the first time since 2007, the Ineh Festival was very peaceful. Thousands of people came out in support of the Obi, and we had a wonderful celebration. The people have clearly rejected the so-called protest,” he said, adding that the organisers reportedly hired 18 buses but could only gather about 20 participants.
   
He further revealed that the Obi, in collaboration with his Council of Advisers, had launched a reconciliation initiative across various quarters of the community to promote unity and drive development.
   
“Some of those who opposed the palace have since returned to embrace peace. The Obi has welcomed chiefs who apologised for their past actions. As a father to all, he remains open to dialogue with anyone who gen