By Tare Youdeowei & Yinka Ajayi

THE Benikrukru Community Executive Council, BCEC, of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, has disagreed with His Royal Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwoli, the Olu of Warri, over the land ownership of the site of the Nigerian Maritime University, NMU, Okerenkoko.

Also, the Secretary of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, differed with the Warri monarch on the issue and sued for peace among the Ijaw and Itsekiri, urging the royal father to promote peace in his kingdom.

This came as a presidential candidate in the forthcoming Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, election, Oweilaemi Pereotubo, described as unacceptable claims by the Olu that the Federal and Delta State governments acquired the site for NMU, Okerenkoko, from impostors.

The Maritime University, in Okerenkoko, Delta State

In a statement at the end of its emergency meeting, the Benikrukru Community Executive Council, fumed over claims that the site of the Nigerian Maritime University Okerenkoko, was owned by the Itsekiri.

The statement by the Chairman of Benikrukru Community Executive Council, Mr. Godwin Olufemi, Prince Isaiah Gbenekama, Secretary and Joel Tonjoh, Public Relations Officer, said: ”We totally disagree with the Olu of Warri over the ownership of the land where the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko is located.”

While contending that the claim was capable of undermining public peace, they appealed to the monarch to promote peace between the Itsekiri and Ijaw, adding that the Warri crisis was still fresh in their memories and they do not want a reoccurence.

Meanwhile, speaking at Warri, Pereotubo, said: “The Itsekiri should know that the Ijaw are not cowards and we would do everything according to the laws of the land to defend our territories as we have done severally in times past.

“We see his inference as an insult not only to the people of the kingdom, but the entire Ijaw nation.”