The Ukhomuyio Concerned Citizens have formally petitioned Edo State Governor, His Excellency Monday Okpebholo, to intervene and annul the controversial appointment of Mike Sado as Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, describing the installation as illegal, illegitimate, and a blatant breach of customary law.
In the petition, the group thanked the Governor for previously receiving community representatives at the Government House and for his attention to the welfare of the people. They emphasized that the peaceful protest staged by residents was aimed at protecting Okpella’s traditions and safeguarding the community traditions for future generations.
The citizens stressed that Mike Sado’s claim to the throne flouts the Declaration of Customary Law Regulating Succession, which clearly empowers only the appropriate branch of the ruling house to nominate a candidate. The nominated candidate must then be presented to the kingmakers for formal approval and presentation to the governor. None of these procedures were followed. Instead, an unrecognized electoral committee arbitrarily installed Sado, bypassing the rightful authority of the Komunio branch of the Oteku ruling house.
The petition described Sado’s installation as a mockery of Okpella’s traditions, asserting that he cannot lawfully be addressed as Okuokpellagbe, and his claim to the throne is void and invalid under both law and custom.
The citizens further accused Sado of a series of harmful acts against the community, including:
Selling communal land without consent for over N250 million.
Criminally diverted N250 million of Ukhomuyio CDA into his Taj Bank Account.
Imposing unauthorized levies on contractors.
Restricting market activities through price controls.
Attempting to divert student scholarship funds into his personal account.
Hijacking security vehicles intended for community use.
These actions, they warned, have disrupted livelihoods, heightened insecurity, and worsening poverty and hunger in Okpella.
Ukhomuyio Concerned Citizens are now calling on Governor Okpebholo to step in decisively, annul the flawed appointment, and ensure that the Ukhomuyio village selects a legitimate Okuokpellagbe in accordance with the Declaration, restoring peace, unity, and prosperity to the community.
The petition concluded with a rallying cry to preserve tradition:
“Long live Ukhomuyio Concerned Citizens, long live Okpella, and long live Edo State.”
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