By DADA AYOKHAI
, The House of Representatives turned down a motion of urgent public importance that sought the Federal Government’s intervention in the chieftaincy conflict affecting the Okpella community in the Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The motion was introduced by Mr. Dekeri Anamero,aka Danco the representatives for the Etsako East/Etsako West Federal Constituency in Edo State.
During the plenary session, Anamero expressed concern over the violence and loss of life in Okpella, which he attributed to the recent crowning of Lukman Akemokue as the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella by Governor Godwin Obaseki, an event that occurred two weeks prior.
Supporters of the new king are celebrating his appointment, while opponents have publicly voiced their dissatisfaction, leading to violent confrontations in the cement town the previous week.
In his address, Anamero called on the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, to send troops to Okpella to restore order.
He accused Governor Obaseki of proceeding with Akemokue’s installation despite widespread public dissent against his selection.
Anamero further attributed the governor’s actions to “a party that lost embarrassingly in the last governorship election,” which he claimed influenced Obaseki’s decision.
The motion faced challenges during the session, particularly in securing a seconder, which prompted a response from Awaji-Inombek Abiante, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party representing the Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency in Akwa Ibom State.
As Speaker Abbas sought support for Anamero’s motion, Abiante interjected, stating, “Mr Speaker, you don’t have to preach to us to second the motion. If no one is seconding the motion, let the motion die.”
Abiante also addressed Anamero directly, saying, “You don’t have to insult senior citizens (an apparent reference to Obaseki) of the country with your motion.”
After conducting a voice vote twice, Speaker Abbas ultimately ruled in favor of rejecting the motion, signaling the House’s decision to not intervene in the ongoing chieftaincy dispute.
