JUST IN: Huge tension in Edo as protest rocks state, see details

• Residents of Okpella in Edo state staged a protest against the appointment of Lukman Akemokhue as the new Okuogbellagbe of Okpella
• The appointment by Governor Godwin Obaseki was met with opposition from several Okpella residents
• Some community leaders accused Governor Obaseki of imposition and asked him to cancel Akemokhue's appointment

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering politics and elections in Nigeria.

Benin City, Edo state - Tension flared in Okpella community, Edo state, following the appointment of Lukman Akemokhue as the new Okuogbellagbe of Okpella by Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Community leaders, elders, and residents staged a protest, denouncing the appointment as an imposition that disregards long-established traditions.

Some Edo residents describe Governor Godwin Obaseki’s appointment of Lukman Akemokhue as the new Okuogbellagbe of Okpella as an affront. Photo credit: @GovernorObaseki
Source: Twitter

Residents oppose Akemokhue's emergence as monarch

The protest erupted a day after the Edo state government officially presented a letter of appointment to Akemokhue at the ministry of local government.

The letter confirmed that Akemokhue’s appointment had been approved by the state executive council, effective from Thursday, September 26, 2024.

However, by Saturday, September 28, discontent surfaced in Okpella.

The Punch quoted a prominent community leader, Abu Abdulganiyu, as saying:

“These actions are an affront to our heritage.“The traditional stool is not a tool for political bartering or compensation, and its sanctity must be respected. We have a king, and we know who we want. Obaseki can’t impose a king on us when he has few weeks to leave office."

Abdulganiyu added:

“Any attempt to foist a political monarch on the community would be resisted."

Read more on Godwin Obaseki

• Obaseki raises alarm over alleged plan by Shaibu to invade Edo govt house
• Edo election results: How Obaseki contributed to PDP’s Ighodalo’s defeat, Ganduje explains
• Edo governorship election 2024: List of biggest winners and losers
• Edo guber: Drama as deputy governor taunts Obaseki after PDP’s defeat, says “he told us to go to hell”

Expectations from Obaseki's successor

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that a political analyst, Eniola Daniel, spoke about the incoming administration of the Edo state governor-election, Monday Okpebholo.

Danial stated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the just concluded Edo state governorship election did not promise the people anything.

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Source: Legit.ng