By DADA AYOKHAI
A replica of what is happening in the political arena where a group of people form a parallel over disagreement has been extend to royal kingdom in Uneme Uzanu with clique led by a former federal govt appointee installing a factionalized Oliola of Uneme Uzanu .
A power struggle has erupted in Uneme Uzanu’s royal kingdom, mirroring Nigeria’s political landscape. A faction, backed by a former federal appointee, has installed a disputed Oliola, sparking tension among locals.
The move has polarized the community, with some questioning the legitimacy of the installation .
Muhammadu Osiregbemhe Adamu was installed as the substantive Oliola (king) of Uzanu-Uneme clan at a brief ceremony held at Uzanu on Saturday, December 20th , which was said to have been performed by just two members out of nine membership of Oliola-In-Council and kingmakers which lacked government presence from both local and state authorities
According to a commentator from the community said “This action is not only reckless but entirely illegal, unconstitutional, null and void and unacceptable. There is no vacancy whatsoever on the throne, as the incumbent Oliola has neither been lawfully removed nor succeeded by operation of demise.
Any attempt to install a new Oliola under these circumstances is a blatant violation of our laws, traditions, and constitutional order. Such conduct amounts to an abuse of custom and a deliberate provocation intended to destabilize our peaceful community. This so-called installation holds no legitimacy, no authority, and no legal standing, and should be disregarded in its entirety.
The aggrieved parties behind Muhammadu Osiregbemhe Adamu’s installation as Oliola (king) of Uzanu-Uneme clan had previously published an advert in The Guardian newspaper in May 2025, listing HRH Benjamin lkani’s alleged misdeeds and calling for his removal to include misrule, financial recklessness, and torturing community members.
The then Edo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon Lucky Eseigbe was said to have intervene and mediate extensively, with both parties at his office in Benin city and continued the mediation at the house of the spiritual head ( Ogamode) house in Uzanu. Issues were also said to have been resolved and called for a logical dialogue to clear grey areas. He stated that, this is the prayers of the Executive Governor of Edo state..
A Uzanu community member calls the installation of Muhammadu Osiregbemhe Adamu a “royal mockery”, claiming he doesn’t hail from either of the kingdom’s ruling families and due traditional process was not followed.
