SUCCESSION TO THE TITLE OF IFEKU: OTIGBA FAMILY BEGS OBASEKI TO ACT

The Family of Otigba Family in Ifeku Island has appealed to the executive governor of Edo state,Godwin Obaseki to review the declarations made under section 8 of the traditional rulers and chiefs edict,1979 and 1991,stating the customary law regulating succession to the title of Okaku of Ifeku.

The Otigba family had, in a letter of appeal to the then governor,Adams Oshiomhole, in2011 pleaded for the reconsideration of the declarations that were made for the succession to the title of Okaku(Clan Head) of Ifeku North and South.

“The 1991 declaration did not consider the seniority of Otigba family,but placed Otigba as the last family in order of rotation which did not go down well with the Otigba people who are now marginalized. And the true position of Otigba family right in the Island was not put into consideration during the enquiry process that led to the declaration”. “We also want to make it known to the governor that Okaku title from the beginning was taken in succession among members of the Otigba family and not as it was generally declared”.

“We are saying that Otigba family should take the Okaku(clan Head) as a right,as we cannot allow other families that came to meet our fore fathers to be ruling over us again, as we are now being treated as slaves in the land founded by our fore fathers.”