By Usman Aliyu
Concerned indigenes of Ikpeshi/Egbegere Clan in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo have appealed to Gov. Monday Okpebholo to droop the state authorities’s determination, terminating their Regent, Mr Nicholas Odamah III.
The group made the enchantment via its coordinator, Ms Peggy Agbo, at a information convention on Thursday in Benin.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) stories that the information convention adopted the federal government’s determination on Oct. 20, to terminate Odamah’s appointment as regent, and restore Lukman Momodu-Odamah to the normal management place.
The state reversed its earlier determination on Nov. 13, 2025, which eliminated Momodu-Odamah and appointed Nicholas Odamah as regent, pending willpower of the rightful occupant of the normal stool.
In saying the newest determination, the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Ikhilor, mentioned the federal government had reviewed appeals from involved indigenes of Akoko-Edo and confirmed that the chieftaincy dispute was earlier than a courtroom of competent jurisdiction.
The authorities, consequently, terminated Odamah’s appointment and introduced restoration of the established order.
However, Agbo, flanked by different elders of the neighborhood, in the course of the information convention, warned that the event might threaten the neighborhood’s peace.
She mentioned the reversal had generated concern amongst sections of the neighborhood, which she mentioned had loved relative peace below Odamah’s regency.
She urged the governor to analyze the circumstances surrounding the choice and rethink it within the curiosity of peace, stability and due course of.
“The circumstances surrounding the revocation of his regency and the subsequent appointment have raised serious questions that deserve transparent examination by the appropriate authorities,” she mentioned.
Agbo additionally urged the federal government and related safety businesses to make clear stories of police allegations in opposition to Momodu, stressing that the claims ought to be established via the suitable authorized processes.
She mentioned the group was not searching for to prejudge anybody however was involved in regards to the implications of the management dispute for the security and unity of the neighborhood.
“We want peace, not war,” she mentioned, interesting to the governor to intervene earlier than the scenario escalated.
The coordinator mentioned the group had petitioned the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in command of Zone 5, the Department of State Services and the Edo Commissioner of Police, whereas additionally submitting an objection to the governor and the State Executive Council.
She added that the group had approached the courtroom to hunt the upkeep of the established order pending decision of the dispute.
Agbo urged all events to respect due course of and known as for an neutral decision that may stop additional rigidity, defend lives and property, and restore confidence amongst neighborhood members.
When contacted, Momodu-Odamah defended his declare to the normal stool, citing a 1979 chieftaincy declaration, which he mentioned stipulated that succession to the throne ought to comply with the male line of inheritance from father to son.
Momodu-Odamah insisted that the state authorities’s determination was in keeping with the relevant customary custom.
He described the protest as an try and affect the federal government and mentioned it couldn’t change the neighborhood’s succession guidelines. (NAN)
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Edited by Chioma Ugboma
