By Usman Aliyu
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Concerned indigenes of Ikpeshi/Egbegere Clan in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo have appealed to Gov. Monday Okpebholo to suspend the state government’s decision,  terminating their  Regent,  Mr  Nicholas Odamah III.

The group made the appeal through its coordinator, Ms Peggy Agbo, at a  news conference on Thursday in Benin.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the news conference followed the government’s decision on  Oct. 20,  to terminate Odamah’s appointment as regent,  and restore Lukman Momodu-Odamah to the traditional leadership position.

The state reversed its earlier decision  on Nov. 13, 2025, which removed Momodu-Odamah and appointed Nicholas Odamah as regent, pending determination of the rightful occupant of the traditional stool.

In announcing the latest decision, the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Ikhilor, said the government had reviewed appeals from concerned indigenes of Akoko-Edo and confirmed that the chieftaincy dispute was before a court of competent jurisdiction.

The government,  consequently, terminated  Odamah’s appointment and announced restoration of the status quo.

However, Agbo, flanked by other elders of the community, during the news conference,  warned that the development could threaten the community’s peace.

She said the reversal had generated concern among sections of the community, which she said had enjoyed relative peace under  Odamah’s regency.

She urged the governor to investigate the circumstances surrounding the decision and reconsider it in the interest of peace, stability and due process.

“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 said.

Agbo also urged the government and relevant security agencies to clarify reports of police allegations against Momodu, stressing that the claims should be established through the appropriate legal processes.

She said the group was not seeking to prejudge anyone but was concerned about the implications of the leadership dispute for the safety and unity of the community.

“We want peace, not war,” she said, appealing to the governor to intervene before the situation escalated.

The coordinator said the group had petitioned the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 5, the Department of State Services and the Edo Commissioner of Police, while also submitting an objection to the governor and the State Executive Council.

She added that the group had approached the court to seek the maintenance of the status quo pending  resolution of the dispute.

Agbo urged all parties to respect due process and called for an impartial resolution that would prevent further tension, protect lives and property, and restore confidence among community members.

When contacted,  Momodu-Odamah defended his claim to the traditional stool, citing a 1979 chieftaincy declaration,  which he said stipulated that succession to the throne should follow the male line of inheritance from father to son.

Momodu-Odamah insisted that the state government’s decision was consistent with the applicable customary tradition.

He described the protest as an attempt to influence the government and said it could not change the community’s succession rules. (NAN)
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Edited by Chioma Ugboma