Tensions erupted in the Okpella community of Edo State as residents staged a significant protest against the recent appointment of Lukman Akemokhue as the new Okuogbellagbe. This appointment, approved by Governor Godwin Obaseki, has been met with widespread condemnation from community leaders and residents alike, who argue that it undermines their traditional customs and practices.
The protest began shortly after the Edo State government formally presented Akemokhue with a letter of appointment on September 26, 2024. Community leaders have accused the governor of imposing a monarch on Okpella without adhering to the established traditional selection processes. Prominent community figure Abu Abdulganiyu stated, “These actions are an affront to our heritage. The traditional stool is not a tool for political bartering or compensation, and its sanctity must be respected.”
The discontent stems from a longstanding tradition where the community itself selects its leaders. Abdulganiyu emphasized that the people of Okpella already have a preferred candidate, Engineer Mike Sado, who was nominated by the traditional council nearly a year ago. The community's leaders have warned that any attempt to force a politically favored candidate into power will be met with resistance.
High Chief Kasshim Otaru, a respected custodian of Okpella traditions, echoed these sentiments, asserting that “nobody selects a king for us.” He reiterated that the community follows clear procedures for selecting its monarchs and will not accept external interference.
Critics of Governor Obaseki’s decision have labeled it a politically motivated move aimed at destabilizing the peaceful coexistence within Okpella. Former Edo State Commissioner for Information, Prince Kassim Afegbua, cautioned that such actions could plunge the state into communal conflict, urging the governor to respect the community's traditions.
As protests continue to unfold in Okpella, residents are calling on Governor Obaseki to reconsider his decision and engage with community leaders to uphold their cultural heritage. The situation remains tense as local leaders vow to defend their rights to self-determination in choosing their monarch.