Okumagbe Troubled Stool: King Deposed, Scandal Trails Selection Process

By Correspondent

Last year, the Etsako East Local Government Council announced the approval and commencement of the process to fill the vacant stool of the Okumagbe of Uwanno Kingdom after the dethronement of the former monarch on April 30, 2025.

In the letter dated January 27, 2026, the council informed the Senior Ukpi Drummer of the Agiode Ruling House that the Edo State Government has approved the filling of the vacant stool, which is the turn of the Agiode Ruling House of Uwanno Kingdom.

The local government council further directed that the traditional selection process, “in line with the relevant laws of succession, must begin immediately and be concluded between January, 30 and 31, 2026.” The directive added that, “the local government is to be duly notified of all proceedings.” The letter was signed by a certain Abass Egbezemogie Yunusah who had identified himself as the Chief Press Secretary of Etsako East Local Government Council, Agenebode.

On the strength of this clearance, the king makers Midwest Herald learnt, set machinery in motion to elect their new traditional ruler. And the process produced retired Senator Francis Alimekhena as ‘Okumagbe Elect’.

Reports filled by Midwest Herald Edo North Correspondent captured the traditional proceedings which includes beating of drum and recitation of incantation by elders and thereafter repeated by the ‘Okumagbe Elect’.

Shortly after conclusion of the selection process, controversy emerged from a section of interest group, denouncing the emergence of Alimekhena as the elected Okumagbe.

Like the trouble that had trailed all the selection of traditional rulers in Edo North, those opposed to Alimekhena have raised objection—and cited a postponement of the process by government.

“Etsako East Local Government initially confirmed Agiode Ruling House’s turn to produce the next Okumagbe, directing the selection process to be completed by January 30-31, 2026.

“However, the local government through a statement abruptly suspended the process indefinitely.”

Dr. Francis Omoh, a supposed candidate for the Okumagbe throne, disagrees with Senator Alimikhena’s emergence, citing the postponement announcement.

He was quoted as saying that: “No election occurred.” Omoh stated, adding that any gathering at Igiode (where Alimekhena emerged) was “likely a social event, not an election.”

While dismissing the entire process, Omoh said, for the avoidance of doubt, no election to fill the vacant Okumagbe stool has taken place.

He added that the authority empowered to announce the date of the election, supervise and monitor the process, and transmit the outcome to the State Government had unequivocally announced the postponement of the exercise and stressed that any gathering that may have occurred in Igiode on the said date could only have been a social event and certainly not an election for the Okumagbe of Wanno.

“I have been inundated with phone calls and messages regarding reports of a purported selection of an Okumagbe elect at an event said to have taken place yesterday, 31 January 2026, in Igiode, at the residence of the Oghie Okugbe, Chief Oseseamhe.

“It has further been alleged that Senator Francis Alimikhena was “elected” as the Okumagbe elect at this gathering. This claim is entirely unfounded and laughable. The Okumagbe Stool is not for sale and certainly not for the highest bidder.

“Nigeria operates a constitutional democracy anchored on the rule of law, due process, and respect for lawful governmental authority.

“It is therefore baffling and embarrassing that anyone would contemplate conducting an election to fill the vacant Okumagbe stool when the Local Government Council, which is statutorily saddled with managing such processes, had formally communicated the postponement of the election to all relevant stakeholders of the Agiode Ruling House and the general public.

“Following the official postponement of the election by the Local Government Council on 30 January 2026, and in strict adherence to due process and obedience to lawful directives, I returned to my base early yesterday morning with the clear understanding that the selection process had been suspended pending the announcement of a new date by the Council.

“As a candidate vying for the Okumagbe stool, I was therefore shocked to learn that a purported election of the Okumagbe was said to have taken place on 31 January 2026.

“For the avoidance of doubt, no election to fill the vacant Okumagbe stool has taken place. The authority empowered to announce the date of the election, supervise and monitor the process, and transmit the outcome to the State Government had unequivocally announced the postponement of the exercise.

“Any gathering that may have occurred in Igiode on the said date could only have been a social event and certainly not an election for the Okumagbe of Wanno.

“Discerning Agiode Ruling House people, Wanno Clan people and the general public are hereby urged to disregard any claims or representations suggesting otherwise.

“I urge all to remain calm while we await the new date for the selection process in line with our custom, tradition and extant laws of our land.” Frances Omoh reiterated.

Cases of continued crises over traditional chieftaincy succession has become a source of worries for Edo State, especially as some of the struggles have led to disturbances of peace in their localities. It will be recalled that the selection of Okuokpellagbe of Okpella led to break down of law and order in the limestone—rundown community last year.

Members of the Ukhomuyio Community, Okpella, had protested against the installation of the present king—Michael Sado as the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella.

The protesters said the selection of Sado was in violation of declaration of the Customary Law regulating succession to the traditional title of Okuokpellagbe. They added that Sado was picked by a group who has no legal recognition in the declaration.

Their protest however failed to prevent the installation, but this outcomes has led to discontent and disconnect in Okpella and the communities federating to the Okuokpellagbe traditional title.