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Controversy in Owukpa over move to merge Ai-Ede Itabono with Ehaje Ward II

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Tension is rising in Owukpa, Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State, following a controversial proposal to merge Ai-Ede community in Itabono with Ehaje Ward II, a move that has been described by stakeholders and youth groups as fraudulent and divisive.

The proposal, which surfaced in a letter dated June 24, 2025, has sparked outrage among members of the Ai-Ede Eneke Progressive Youth Council (OYAME Worldwide), who accused certain unnamed individuals of attempting to mislead the Ward Creation Committee for selfish political gains.

According to the youth group, the decision to merge Ai-Ede, a distinct community in Itabono, with Ehaje Ward II was reached without the knowledge, consent, or participation of the community, describing it as a “forceful marriage without courtship, love, or consent.”

“This proposal, which came to us as a rude shock, is viewed as an attempt to forcefully align our community into a structure that neither reflects our collective will nor serves our best interests. It was allegedly masterminded by a handful of individuals within Ai-Ede who do not represent the collective voice of our people. We find it both reckless and unacceptable.

“Even more disturbing is the fact that such a misrepresentation has been considered by the Committee and labelled as a “consensus agreement.” We strongly assert that this claim is fraudulent, misleading, and does not reflect the position of Ai-Ede Community.

“We therefore categorically and unequivocally reject any attempt to merge Ai-Ede with Ehaje Ward II or any other ward outside of Itabono without proper consultation and community-wide consensus. Our community’s position remains clear:

We stand firmly with either Ai-Ede/Obenjira Ward or Ai-Ede Okpudu 1 Ward—both of “which are within Itabono.
“Please be informed that we are prepared to resist any forceful merger, manipulation, or political manoeuvring that threatens the peace, identity, and structure of our community. The current situation has already created tension, and further provocation may lead to unrest,” said Hon. Oko Elias Agada, President of OYAME Worldwide. “This is nothing short of a betrayal and an insult to our identity.”

Interestingly, the move has not only angered the people of Ai-Ede but has also unsettled political stakeholders in Ehaje, many of whom say they were equally blindsided by the proposal and are unwilling to accept a forced union that could upset the ward’s delicate balance.

A prominent Ehaje stakeholder, who pleaded anonymity, told our correspondent, “We are not aware of this merger. Nobody consulted us. Bringing in a new community without proper engagement is unacceptable and will create more problems than it will solve.”

The people of Ai-Ede have vowed to resist what they describe as a sinister attempt to undermine their community, insisting that they would remain aligned with either Ai-Ede/Obenira Ward or Ai-Ede Okpudu 1 Ward within Itabono.

In a parallel reaction, a youth coalition known as the Ehaje II Political Stakeholders has also kicked against the proposed merger. The group distanced itself from the decision, saying the process was conducted in secrecy and not reflective of the collective will of Ehaje Ward II.

“We were not consulted,” a member of the Ehaje II Political Stakeholders told Idoma Voice.

“We only heard about the plan in passing, and we want to make it categorically clear that we reject the annexation of Ai-Ede into our political ward under any guise.”

According to the group, Ehaje Ward II is already overstretched, both administratively and geographically, and can no longer absorb another forceful marriage.

They revealed that stakeholders from the area have, in fact, been agitating for the creation of a new ward for Ugbugbu to ease the burden, not to have more communities forced into the ward politically.

The group further stated that Ehaje youth will use every legal and constitutional means to stop what they described as a forceful political marriage. They urged the Ward Creation Committee to tread with caution, warning that such decisions, if not properly handled, could destabilize long-standing peace and harmony within Owukpa.

The looming crisis, if left unresolved, may threaten the peace and political stability of Owukpa in the days ahead.

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