The Okpella Council of Village Heads and chiefs in Etsako East LGA of Edo State have called on Governor Monday Okpebholo to nullify the appointment of Engineer Lukman Akemokue as the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella Kingdom.
Newspot reports that the community made the call during a visit to the governor at the Government House on Wednesday in Benin City.
The delegation led by Anamero Dekeri, member representing Etsako Federal Constituency in the National Assembly said the appointment of Lukman Akemokue as the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella Kingdom by the immediate past governor, Godwin Obaseki, did not comply with the extant laws.
The spokesman of the community, High Chief Hanson Aimofumhe who read a speech prepared by the Okpella Council of Village Heads and Chiefs, said the previous administration had, through the alleged imposition of Lukman Akemokue as the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, brought disunity to community.
“Godwin Obaseki saw the vacant Okuokpellagbe stool as an opportunity to compensate a political ally for the ‘dirty’ jobs he did in his favour, before and during the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.
“We therefore, appeal to the governor to immediately nullify the appointment of Lukman Akemokue as Okuokpellagbe of Okpella for non-compliance with the processes as set out in the extant laws,” he said.
Responding Okpebholo assured the people of Okpella that his administration would ensure that peace returns to their community, to enable them go about their normal business activities.
Okpebholo, who said he felt bad when he was informed about the killings in the area, noted that the killings was not acceptable to his administration and would therefore find a way to address it.
He opined that kingship is very important to communities, as no one can install or impose a king on the people,adding that kingship should be the collective decision of king makers.
“I welcome you to Government House and I am happy to see all of you as I have taken Okpella as my second home. Whatever happens to Okpella, happens to me.
“I felt very bad when I heard about the killings in the area. To me, it is not acceptable and it is wrong. We will find a way to address it. We will study the letter you just submitted and we will address it very fast.
“Kingship is very important to communities. No single man can install or impose a king to govern so many people as we all need the collective decision of kingmakers to install a King.
“I will invite you here again to discuss with the kingmakers to get the full details of what happened in Okpella and how we can resolve it as quickly as possible. Okpella must be a safe ground for us because we have a lot of mineral deposits in Okpella.
“We have two big cement companies there in Okpella and they need peace, absolute peace to operate. We have leaders to rely on and I believe in no time, we will resolve the issue of kingship in Okpella and restore peace in the community. We will meet again to put a full stop to the issues of kingship in your land,” he assured.
Newspot reports that the appointment of Lukman Akemokue as Okuokpellagbe of Okpella by Obaseki polarised the community in two camps with some loyal to the new traditional rulers and others against him.
Clashes between the two groups resulted in several killings in the community.
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