Kingsley Ohens 

A prominent Niger Delta leader and member of the Board of Trustees of the Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM), Chief Francis Inegbeniki, has called on Rivers State traditional ruler, Alhaji Asari Dokubo, to refrain from making statements that could undermine the longstanding peaceful relationship between the Ijaw and Benin communities in Edo State.

Speaking with journalists on Tuesday in Benin City, Inegbeniki expressed concern over recent remarks attributed to Dokubo, describing them as unnecessary, provocative, and capable of heightening ethnic tensions in the state.

The Egbedi of Ozoro Land urged Dokubo to use his position as a respected traditional leader to promote peace, dialogue, and unity rather than rhetoric that could be interpreted as divisive.

According to Inegbeniki, the Ijaw and Benin ethnic nationalities in Edo State have, over the years, maintained a relationship founded on mutual respect, cooperation, and peaceful coexistence, stressing that such harmony should not be jeopardized by inflammatory public comments.

“There has been a harmonious relationship and peaceful coexistence between the Ijaws in Edo State and their Benin neighbours, and this relationship must be sustained,” he said.

Inegbeniki, who was recently inducted into the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), emphasized that traditional rulers, community leaders, and other influential stakeholders have a collective responsibility to foster peace and stability across the Niger Delta region.

He cautioned that comments capable of inciting ethnic sentiments could erode decades of trust and cooperation between neighbouring communities.

Referring to a viral video in which Dokubo allegedly suggested that “Edo State is next,” Inegbeniki said such statements risk creating unnecessary suspicion and hostility between the Ijaw and Benin people.

“At a time when our region should be consolidating peace and development, we should be preaching love, unity, and mutual understanding rather than making comments capable of creating division,” he stated.

The Edo Central-born politician and businessman further noted that the Benin Kingdom, under the leadership of His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, the Oba of Benin, has consistently maintained cordial relations with Ijaw communities across Edo State.

He observed that both ethnic groups have lived together peacefully for generations, intermarried, collaborated in commerce and governance, and contributed jointly to the political, economic, and social development of the state.

As an example of the inclusive political environment in Edo State, Inegbeniki recalled that an Ijaw woman, Mrs. Asemota, recently emerged as a leading contender for a major political ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections in Edo South Senatorial District.

He appealed to all stakeholders to embrace dialogue in addressing grievances, insisting that any misunderstanding should be resolved through established traditional and peaceful mechanisms rather than public exchanges capable of inflaming tensions.

“If there is any misunderstanding, our Ijaw brothers know the proper channels to resolve such matters amicably. We have always resolved issues through dialogue and mutual understanding,” he said.

Inegbeniki reaffirmed that preserving peace, strengthening inter-ethnic harmony, and promoting regional unity remain essential to the continued progress and stability of Edo State and the wider Niger Delta.