By Oseni Momodu-Embassy
September 28th, 2024.

The people of OKPELLA woke on Friday September, 2024 to the horrible news of what was at first taken as rumor but later became true. What happened? The Edo State government presented STAFF of OFFICE to one Mr. Lukeman Akemokhue as the CLAN HEAD of Okpella.

Following the drama that ensue, Okpellans will lock horns against themselves in a traditional rulership tussle. Okpella needs an unbiased Ruler, non partisan King with unblemished integrity; unifier, trailblazer, etcetera.
Okpella needs a young, dynamic and pragmatic Ruler. But certainly, only time shall tell whether Lukeman Akemokhue possesses these outstanding qualities.

Eminent Okpella leaders have expressed concerns over the purported assumption of Okpella traditional stool by Akemokhue, noting that grave consequences abounds if Okpella allow this infamy to stand. As a prelude to what is to be expected if the unimaginable happens, Abu Abduganiyu’s residence at Okugbe was tresspass yesterday by men believed to be loyal to the self acclaimed King. That’s just a tip of iceberg under Akemokhue’s reign.

Obaseki’s Debacle

At different consultative fora, Obaseki assured that he would consult extensively with Okpellans in a bid to revisit the nomination and appointment of new King who would be the symbol of unity to all.

Rather than heed to his profound promise, Obaseki jettisoned his same and appointed a man of questionable integrity. This is a man who had committed sacrilegious acts against the fomer OKUOKPELLAGBE, HRH, A.Y.E DIRISU whilst still on throne as the paramount ruler. The resorting effect was the proclamation of another Kingdom within the precinct of the late OKUOKPELLAGBE’S territorial sovereignty. That was a taboo under Okpella customs and traditions.

Foiled Attempts By Sado, Akemokhue

For 5 years, the stool of Okuokpellagbe of Okpella has remained vacant since the demise of our amiable late King in 2019. Since then, the battle for who fill the vacant throne continue to raise dust every year. First was Mike Sado who had attempted to be crowned by some few selected Kingmakers, but failed. The second attempt to impose another King on Okpella happened yesterday with Engr. Lukeman Akemokhue as the purported Crown King that was packaged for Okpella by strangers.

The last of the trio who has never ruffle shoulder with anyone in the course of struggle to become the Crown King but who nevertheless allow the state of affairs to take its course in accordance with the dictates of God Almighty, is Mallam Haruna Ahmed. These names are the originally selected persons by the Okpella Kingmakers sometimes in 2021 from Ukhomuyio axis of OTEKU Ruling House.

The Kingmakers and Ruling Houses

Unfortunately, the Kingmakers allowed themselves to be infiltrated with primordial sentiments and money bags. The result was the failure to select just ONE and acceptable person. Since the process was compromised, contestants bribed their ways to have their names featured and the rest is history. This is a lesson to every person in authority especially those that would be privileged to make the list of Kingmakers again that all that glitters are not gold.

The Ogute Ruling House comprised- Imiekuri, Imiegiele, Awoyemi, and Ogute on the one part, while OTEKU comprised mainly Iddo and Ukhomuyio axis as enshrined in the Bendel State Traditional Council and Chieftaincy Edit, 1979.

In this age of 21st century where the world has become a global village, any act of omission or commission against the general interests of Okpella would be rebuffed vehemently. Let’s always get the right people to select the right persons to do the right thing, otherwise, we will never get our foot above the ground.

Communal War In Okpella

Obviously, what happened yesterday was an act of provocation predetermined to creat communal war in Okpella. This is evident, as Obaseki blatantly ignored earlier reprimands by discerning Okpella leaders against the appointment of Lukeman Akemokhue. It is unheard of that because Okpella community voted for APC against his preferred party, PDP in the last Saturday gubernatorial election, Obaseki decided to hurriedly package ‘Waybill King’ for Okpellans faraway Benin city. This underscores the reward of clientenlism and beneclientelism.

The so called purported appointment is sacrilegious and alien to Okpella customs and traditions contrary to extant laws.

Evidential proof revealed that the pact between the duo- Akemokhue and Governor Obaseki was simple: “win your Ward 7 for PDP’s Asue Ighodalo in exchange for the vacant OKPELLA Traditional Stool as compensation”.

Disappointedly, APC did not only win the election in Ward 7, but it won the entire Etsako East and Edo North for APC’s MONDAY OKPEBHOLO by over 145,000 votes at the September 21st guber poll.

Protests Everywhere in Okpella

Early this morning, protests erupted across Okpella as a symbol of disapproval against the imposition of Akemokhue in what they termed “WayBill King” by Obaseki. Available information on the strength of good authority reveals that Obaseki’s hatred for the unity of Okpella is to balkanize the pride third largest Traditional CLAN in Edo state (after BINI KINGDOM and UROMI CLAN) into chiefdoms in order to reduce its political strength and traditional heritage.

So for the Okpellans, difficult times lies ahead until the new peoples Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo is sworn in by November 12th, 2024. How Okpella will navigate its affairs in this transition period and avert planned distortion of peace by the outgoing Governor Obaseki is a matter that demands absolute caution and diplomacy. For when two elephants fight, the grass suffers it.

Security Reports And The Sins Of Okpella People Against Obaseki

Security reports are rife that the venomous threat by Obaseki that: “I will burn down Nigeria and I will lead” remark might likely begin from Okpella. His ‘farewell package’ to the solid mineral rich community in Edo State is to gift us ‘Greek gift’ which we have outrightly rejected. The reason for this heinous act by appointing a Crown Head against the wishes of Okpella people is that they voted for APC’s Monday Okpebholo against Obaseki’s preference for Asue Ighodalo.

Too Many Questions, No Answer

The questions many are asking is why the sudden hurry?; If it was in the overall interests of Okpella people, why the rush? Whose interests was Obaseki serving that prompted this public opprobrium?; On whose advise did he anchored his actions where he had promised he won’t dabble into traditional matters until acceptable person is presented?; Isn’t it obvious Obaseki is influenced by self inflicted aggression against Okpella for voting APC in preference for PDP?

Disregard for Extant Customary Law, The Last Minute Ditch by Obaseki

The fact that despite the last minute attempt by Obaseki to present STAFF of OFFICE to PDP’S Akemokhue without the knowledge or presence of the House of Assembly member representing Etsako East; the Chairman of Etsako East LGA; other distinguished community leaders in Okpella, the House of Representatives Member, who incidentally is the highest political leader in Okpella; representatives of the Kingmakers from OGUTE Ruling House and OTEKU (Iddo) Ruling House as prescribed by the “1979 Edit” underscores the secrecy that enveloped the entire process.

An Appeal for Calm

In this instance and in the face of provocation, l appeal to Okpella people to keep their cool and not allow ourselves to be used by Godwin Obaseki in the chess box of political vendetta. Let’s be guided that up till November 12th 2024, Obaseki still remain the defacto Executive Governor of Edo State. To this extent, the purportedly appointed King by the outgoing Governor is for Godwin Obaseki and not for the good people of Okpella. At the appropriate time, Okpella will choose Her King. One thing we must not subscribe to is to disregard any plan for us to go against one another. May the even day never dawn in our land (Okpella), Amen.

Know this- What executive power has done, another executive powers can undo it.