By Nasamu Johnson
The recent allegations against Governor Godwin Obaseki’s involvement in the Okpella monarch’s selection process are unfounded and misrepresents the facts. Contrary to claims of politicization, Governor Obaseki acted upon the decision and recommendations of the Kingmakers, who completed the established traditional customs and procedures.
The Kingmakers, representing the entire Okpella community, carried out the required traditions but were unable to select one candidate due to time constraints, and this is in line with the provision of the Edo Chieftaincy Law which provides that Kingmakers can submit a candidate or candidates to the State Executive Council for ratification and subsequent appointment. To meet the deadline, they sent three names to the governor, as agreed upon, with video and written evidence available online.
Saying the whole exercise was politicized is an insult to the notable sons of Okpella who constitute the Kingmakers. There was never a time when Okpella faulted the process of selecting these three candidates, except for a few individuals who felt entitled to the ownership of Okpella and had special candidates who must be installed.
For five years, Okpella Village Heads engaged in numerous meetings with Edo State Governor urging him to act upon the decision reached by the Okpella Council of Kingmakers, by choosing one out of the three candidates as the community needed a king. Governor Obaseki accommodated eventually acceded to this request as the State Executive Council eventually settled on one of the candidates after due diligence was done by officials of the State government.
Since the demise of the late Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, Dr. A.Y.E. Dirisu over five years ago, the community lacked a central point of leadership to address pressing communal issues, kidnapping incidents and boundary crises which requires a King to relate with the government and other key stakeholders.
Today, the state government has appointed Engr. Lukman Akemokue as the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella out of the three names submitted by the Kingmakers. His announcement as the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella received praises and jubilation across Okpella. However in a shocking move, six chiefs (the signatory from Ukhomunyio, Charles Ikhumesomi, is an imposter and not a Chief) out of over 180 village heads and chiefs claim to represent the entire Okpella Traditional Council wrote to reject the appointment perhaps because their preferred candidate out of the three was not announced, thereby inciting the public with propaganda and harassing innocent elders.
Masked individuals, whose identities have been unveiled, were seen at night with security operatives going from house to house arresting innocent village heads and chiefs and spreading fear. The new King’s house, HRH Engr. Lukman Akemokue’s, has been vandalized by these hoodlums.
The community is wise and aware of their underlying motives. The new Okuokpellagbe has forgiven those who wronged him and is ready for peaceful dialogue. His Royal Highness has many issues to solve, and we urge Okpella to join hands with him to move the community forward.
We urge the public to disregard those escalating the crisis. The propaganda aims to stir up crises. Let’s remember that our people’s silence should not be mistaken for weakness. Governor Obaseki’s decision was guided by the community’s interests and the rule of law.
Nasamu Johnson writes in from Okpella
