Edo Community Rejects New King, Constitutes Body to Resolve Impasse

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By Reporter

There is an uneasy calm in Ukhomuyio community of Okpella, Edo State as the people have rejected their newly installed king, describing the exercise that took place on 10 May 2025 and led to Mike Sado’s selection as “shambolic.”

Their rejection is contained in a communique jointly signed by the Community’s president, Sam Afemikhe, High Chief Julius Ederefo of the Ukhomunyio Council of Village Heads, and Comrade Merry Omoalu, President of the Ukhomunyio Youth Association.

The statement claimed that, Sado was the only candidate in that meeting, erroneously referred to as an “election,” conducted by a few individuals not from Ukhomuyio, whose turn was to produce the Okuokpellagbe.

The people insist that the appointment of Sado as Okuokpellagbe, has disenfranchised them because the government did not allow the Ukhomunyio sub-ruling area to carry out the process to choose an acceptable Okuokpellagbe in line with the government’s directives and the extant laws for the appointment of Okuokpellagbe.

Following the development, the people of Ukhomuyio went ahead to put a ‘New Executive Group’ to resolve the impasse and engender growth and development in the community.

The decision was taken at the Afokpella Secondary School where the meeting tool place.

According to the community’s Public Relations Officer, Dr Samson Omosotomhe, the meeting marked a significant turning point. New executive leadership and a bold vision for the future were established.

“The agenda includes uniting the entire Ukhomuyio community to heal the wounds of the past seven years—Foster integration between Ukhomuyio and the wider Okpella community. Engage with government stakeholders to resolve the Okhuokpellagbe impasse equitably.

“Partner with operating companies to ensure Ukhomuyio benefits from local economic resources. Launch aggressive development initiatives to make up for lost time. Collaborate with the government to enhance security, enabling safe farming and peaceful living,” Omosotomhe said.