Our reporter
A bitter and high-stakes battle for the revered Okuokpellagbe stool in Okpella in Etsako East Local Government of Edo State, has thrown the community into chaos, as 18 formidable contenders from three rival kindreds now jostle for the position of paramount ruler.
The escalating tension has caused a full-blown crisis, with no end in sight to the turmoil that has gripped the Etsako East Local Government Area.
The power struggle erupted after the controversial appointment of Lukman Akemokue by former Governor Godwin Obaseki, a move that was met with fierce opposition from key stakeholders in the Okpella community. The six Council of Village Heads and Chiefs swiftly denounced Akemokue’s appointment, arguing it was imposed without adherence to traditional procedures and was against the wishes of the people. The rift continues to deepen as the battle for the throne intensifies.
Now, the contest has taken on a new dimension as the three major kindreds in Okpella—OKU, Alumuye, and Agbogah—have all thrown their hats into the ring, presenting 18 candidates they believe are fit to lead the community into the future.
The OKU kindred has submitted a formidable list of contenders, including Chief M.O. Aliu, Ediawe Jeremiah Roland, Lukman Akemokue (the controversial figure himself), and Dr Abdulmalik C.Y. Ofemile, among others. Meanwhile, the Alumuye kindred is pushing forward Prince Micheal Sado and Haruna Iremia Sunny, alongside four other names, while the AGBOGAH kindred has chosen its own set of heavyweights, including Haruna Ahmed, Philip Odion Magnus, and Balogun Samuel Oneshuagbe.
As the 18 contenders gear up for what promises to be a bitterly contested race, the Okpella community remains divided. Many hope the emergence of a new Okuokpellagbe will finally bring an end to the deep divisions, offering a chance for peace and progress. However, others remain fearful that the entrenched interests in the community may make the search for a leader more contentious than ever.
The situation has attracted the attention of the current Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, who has pledged to restore calm and ensure that the traditional process is respected. “My administration is committed to ensuring peace returns to Okpella and that a fair and proper process leads to the appointment of the next Okuokpellagbe,” the governor said in a statement.
The community, which has long prided itself on its unity and tradition, now finds itself at a crossroads. Will the appointment of the next Okuokpellagbe bring the much-needed peace, or will it mark the beginning of a prolonged struggle for control over Okpella’s future? Only time will tell.
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