Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has announced plans to establish a commission of inquiry to address the protracted land dispute in Oke-Oroma.
The decision follows years of tension in the area after the previous administration, led by Governor Godwin Obaseki, demolished houses in the community, claiming the land belonged to the state.
The government had insisted that the land was sold without proper authorisation.
In a statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, on Tuesday, Okpebholo met with community leaders, residents, and victims of the demolished structures in Benin City, the state capital.
Accompanied by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, the governor assured stakeholders that the commission would thoroughly investigate the matter and make appropriate recommendations.
Addressing the crowd, Okpebholo said his administration prioritises justice and pledged to rectify any injustices uncovered.
He said, “I remember during my campaign, I promised to revisit this matter. Now I am here, and we will listen to your voices. In the next few days, I will invite you to the Government House to back my promises with action.”
“We will set up a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the issues surrounding this land. If the findings confirm that these lands belong to the people and Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) were wrongfully issued, I will revoke them and return the lands to their rightful owners.”
The governor urged residents to remain peaceful, assuring them that the government would take decisive steps to restore justice and security in the area.
“Continue to maintain the peace. Our responsibility as a government is to provide security. I will engage the appropriate authorities to ensure security personnel are deployed here to restore peace,” he stated.
Okpebholo’s pledge has rekindled hope among the affected residents, who have long sought a resolution to the contentious land ownership issues.