Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State is facing sharp criticism from members of the Okpella community for allegedly politicizing the selection process of the new Okuokpellagbe of Okpella.

The community’s displeasure follows the governor’s appointment of Engr. Lukman Oghehemhime Akemokhue as the new traditional ruler, despite a pending court case and objections from local leaders.

The controversy stems from Obaseki’s presentation of the Staff of Office to Akemokhue in September, even though a contender, Mike Sado, had already instituted a court case challenging the appointment. This development has sparked protests, with residents accusing the governor of disregarding Okpella’s customs and favoring political allies over traditional procedures.

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The Okpella Council of Village Heads has been vocal in its opposition, insisting that the selection of the Okuokpellagbe is the exclusive responsibility of the Kingmakers, not the state government. In a letter to Governor Obaseki, the Council criticized the interference, accusing him of undermining their autonomy and violating Section 19(1) of Edict No. 16 of 1979, which outlines the proper procedure for selecting a traditional ruler.

Sado, speaking in Abuja, expressed frustration over the state’s involvement in the process, accusing the governor of setting a dangerous precedent by disregarding the community’s customs. He revealed that the kingship had been narrowed down to three kindred, with each asked to nominate a candidate.

However, when his kindred successfully submitted a nominee, other candidates allegedly bypassed tradition and forwarded their names directly to the governor, leading to confusion.

According to Sado, “The agreement was that once nominated by your kindred, there would be an election. But two Kingmakers, working for one of the candidates, ignored this and sent all three names to the governor. The Okpella Council of Village Heads intervened and chose me, but political interests have since derailed the process.”

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The situation has escalated to legal battles, with contempt and criminal proceedings initiated against the Edo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Monday Osaigbovo, and Akemokhue for acting on the matter while it is still pending in court. They are accused of violating Section 110(c) and (d) of the Criminal Law of Edo State by taking actions that disrupt judicial proceedings.

Sado’s legal team, led by Chief H.O. Ogbodu, SAN, has asked the court to set aside the appointment letter given to Akemokhue, arguing that it contravenes the ongoing court case and traditional laws. The case, marked B/464/2019, centers on determining the rightful candidate for the Okuokpellagbe throne.

Despite the controversy, Governor Obaseki’s office has not issued any official response to the community’s objections or the legal proceedings. However, tensions remain high in Okpella, with many residents demanding that the traditional process be respected and warning that the governor’s actions could lead to further unrest in the community.