The Okpella Traditional Clan Head Tussle has lingered on for about six years now, and it is true to say that the current government has mustered the will and courage to address the impasse by directing that a transparent process be followed, rooted in the extant laws that govern chieftaincy matters in Edo State. However, to the shock and dismay of every well-meaning sons and daughters of the land, the governor and the entire State are being taken for a ride by a select few.
What they hide from His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Executive Governor of Edo State, is now in the open.
As few individuals in Okpella are about to make the same mistake in their attempts to legitimize the illegitimate and shambolic election that was conducted for only one candidate on the 10th May, 2025.
It is very clear in the eyes of the law, as instructed by our ancestors, the ruling house, whose turn it is to produce a King for Okpella, are the ones to select a candidate, an adult male, and present to the Kingmakers. When Ukhomuyio, whose turn it is to select a king for Okpella, has more than one candidate, the law mandates them to conduct an election so that one person can emerge.
It is only the winner, one male individual, that should be presented by Ukhomuyio to the 24 kingmakers for approval as the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella.
The concerned sons and daughters of Okpella stand before you today in unity because they were among the thousands of your supporters who voted for you.
They are not in defiance because they are your supporters, but in defense of our tradition, our rights, and the rule of law, which is being trampled upon.
They urgently demand the immediate suspension of the illegal and purported election of the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, which took place on the 10th of May 2025. Your Excellency, the concern of Okpella is based not on hearsay, but on the clear provisions of the law. Section 4 of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Edict, 1979, provides that:
“When a vacancy occurs, the village head or, in his absence, the senior daudu of the appropriate component branch of the appropriate ruling house shall summon and preside over a meeting of the adult males of the said component branch to nominate a suitable candidate. The candidate selected…is presented to the kingmakers…for formal approval.”
This provision is not a suggestion—it is the law. At this moment, the Ukhomunyio component branch of the ruling house, whose turn it is to produce the next Okuokpellagbe, has not met, nor nominated anyone, and has not decided on any candidate for that position.
It is clear, therefore, that Mike Sado was the only candidate who was in that meeting erroneously referred to as “election” conducted by a few individuals who are not from Ukhomuyio, whose turn it is to produce the Okuokpellagbe.
The Ukhomuyio scheduled a meeting on the 11th of May, 2025, where the entire Ukhomunyio kindreds were to discuss the way forward in respect of the process of selecting the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella as spelt out in the extant law.
Therefore, any move by the kingmakers to proceed with an election, selection, or approval process is fundamentally illegal, premature, and void of legitimacy. The election is not known by Ukhomuyio and is not lawful.
Your Excellency, the kingmakers cannot and must not vote when the rightful branch has not yet exercised its lawful and customary duty to choose its nominee.
To do so is to trample upon the very process that safeguards fairness and peace in our community. This is not just about tradition. This is about justice, law, and respect for the voice of the people of Ukhomunyio and the entire Okpella Kingdom.
We appeal to your good conscience and your respect for due process to ignore the outcome of that so-called election of 10th May, 2025. We ask you to ensure that:
The Ukhomunyio component branch is allowed to meet, discuss, and nominate their candidate in line with the law and send it to the Kingmakers for ceremonial approval as stipulated by the law.
No action is taken by the kingmakers until that nomination is lawfully presented to them.
Your Excellency, Governor Monday Okpebholo, this is your moment to uphold justice and protect peace in Okpella. Let your administration be remembered for fairness, for dialogue, not division. We say no to imposition. We want due process, justice, and peace, which are the reflections of your administration.
Thank you, and may Edo State continue to thrive under your leadership.
Mr. Adophus Omokhafe Barry writes from Ukhomuyio, Oteku Sub-Ruling House, Okpella, Edo State.