By DADA. AYOKHAI
Respondents across Edo North district have accused Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo of turning a blind eye to the crisis rocking the traditional institution in Edo Central, known locally as Esan, where he hails from while desecrating the traditional institution in Edo North.
The accusation followed the recent dethroment of two traditional rulers in Akoko‑Edo Local Government Area of the state.
The dethronement of the traditional rulers brings to five those dethroned within his one year in office.
The first victims of the governor were those of Okpella, Agenebode and South Ibie, all in the Etsako West and East Local Government Areas respectively.
The latest victims of Okpebholo’s dethronement were the Olososo of Ososo and the clan head of Ikpeshi / Egbegere in Akoko Edo.
According to a statement by the Secretary to the State government, Barrister Umar Musa Ikhilor, the recent revocation followed a review of the circumstances surrounding ongoing disputes over traditional leadership in the clan and kingdom.
Ikhilor added that the actions were taken in the interest of peace, stability, and due process.
Many of the respondents felt the governor Okpebholo’s reasons for the dethronement were too pedestrian.
In Ososo Kingdom they claimed, there’s no reported threat to peace , the only sin of the Monarch was to have been crowned during the Godwin obaseki-led administration.
In Ikpeshi / Egbegere clanship tussle is already before the court with the appointee of the state governor , Attorney‑General/Commissioner for Justice, Prof Roland Otaru, being a party seeking the royal father’s dethronement even before his appointment.
Recall that the royal father had raised alarm and petitioned the Edo State House of Assembly to protest against his confirmation as a civil Commisisoner, but his concerns were ignored by the lawmakers.
In Edo central Senatorial district, the Supreme Court had since nullified the appointment of a royal father. Till date, the governor has not considered enforcing the court judgement.
Again, there have been pockets of protest in Uromi against the traditional ruler, but the governor has also ignored that of the royal father from the Ewu community.
”The Supreme Court has delivered a final judgment regarding the Ewu royal stool chieftaincy dispute (case reference SC/147/2014), affirming that HRH Jafaru Isesele I, is the legitimate Onogie of Ewu Kingdom in July 2024.
There have been subsequent appeals by the legitimate Onogie, HRH Jafaru Isesele I, to the Edo State Governor and the police for the enforcement of the Supreme Court judgment, as the former occupant had reportedly failed to vacate the palace as of early 2025. “
A concerned resident in Ewu Kingdom who spoke on condition of anonymity appealed to the Governor that respect for traditional institutions shouldn’t be confined to the Oba of Benin Palace alone, but must extend to “all” traditional institutions across the state.
This inclusivity helps preserve cultural heritage and maintain social harmony.
