Itsekiri never demanded own state – Lori-Ogbebor

RIGHTS activist, Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, has faulted claims that the Itsekiri nation was prevented from being in the same state with the Binis by the late Oba of Benin, Omo N’oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Erediauwa, during the creation of Delta State from the defunct Bendel State for demanding their own state. Lori-Ogbebor was reacting to a statement credited to a former military governor of defunct Bendel State, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, who stated that at a meeting convened to discuss the then proposed Delta State, the late Oba said the Itsekiri would not be in the same state with the Binis for saying that they did not want to be with the Urhobo or Binis in the same state. In a chat with Vanguard, yesterday, in Lagos, Lori-Ogbebor described the statement as a misrepresentation of what transpired at the meeting. She said:  “I feel obliged to put right some issues in an interview granted your reporter by ex-governor Ogbemudia regarding the creation of Delta State. In that interview, Ogbemudia said that the Itsekiris said they did not want to be with the Bini people during the period arrangements were being made on how to create Delta State from the then Bendel State. That statement was an opposite of what transpired. I wish he said it when the Olu was alive or when the Oba of Benin was alive but they have both gone to rejoin their ancestors. ‘’I am the only one who can testify to what those men said then because I am a chief of the Olu of Warri. I am an Okere woman and I know the relationship between the Itsekiris and Binis. They are blood relations and therefore, when there were concerns over the creation of state, I had the privilege of being sent by the Olu of Warri to see the Oba of Benin on the issue. And on the night when the discussions were being held at the residence of the late former Vice-President, Augustus Aikhomou, I had the privilege of being there. So whatever I say, therefore, is the authentic story. I am not a politician, I am a traditional chief so I am saying this for posterity sake.’’

Source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/