Trouble might be brewing between two major ethnic groups, the Ikwerre and Okirika, in Rivers State over the ownership of the land where the Government House is constructed.
Africa update gathered that the feud started when the State Governor, Nyesom Wike, allegedly made the proclamation during a radio program .
A statement jointly signed by the President and Secretary of the Port Harcourt Aborigines of Wakirike, Derrick Achesemie and Samuel Iyoyo, stated that the Governor’s claim is incorrect and a distortion of historic facts based on the 1913 acquisition of Port Harcourt.
According to the statement, the Judgment delivered by a Port Harcourt High Court in 1977, on the title “Ownership of Port Harcourt ” is a major reference point.
The group disclosed further that no one should lay claims to being the landlords of the Government House, until the Rivers State Government defines the boundary between Ogbunabali and Wakirike Port Harcourt.
In a swift reaction, the Rebisi Progressive Movement, described the statement by the Port Harcourt Aborigines of Wakirike, as unwarranted and misleading.
The statement jointly signed by its President and Secretary, Sony Sam Ejekwu and Kingsley Omodu, said that before the advent of the colonial masters and the acquisition of Port Harcourt, the present location of the government house was the ancestral home of some families from Ogbunabali community.
The group alleged that the judgment referred to by the Port Harcourt Aborigines of Wakirike, did not decide the issue of ownership of port Harcourt, rather it addressed the issue of claims for payment of compensation and arrears by Okirika people in Azuabie, Trans Amadi, Rainbow town, Okuru, Amadi Ama, Ozuboko and Abuloma.
They reiterated that the claim of Port Harcourt was laid to rest by the judgment of the Supreme Court, in 1981, in favor of the people of Rebisi.
The group said it is inconceivable for the Wakirike group to rely on an inconclusive ruling of a Port Harcourt High Court to lay claims to what has been settled by the supreme court.
They advised the group to withdraw its statement, claiming ownership of the Government House and render an apology to Governor Wike.
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