LG council nullifies selection of ex-Senate Chief Whip as Okumagbe of Wanno Kingdom

The authorities of Etsako East Local Government of Edo State have nullified the selection of former senator, Francis Alimikhena, as the new Okumagbe of Uwano kingdom.

Okumagbe is the title of the traditional ruler of the kingdom.

DAILY POST reports that the Secretary to the Council, Edward Imhanobe, announced the nullification in a letter on behalf of the Chairman of the Local Government, Sunny Ekpeson.

The letter titled, ‘Re: Filling of the vacant stool of Okumagbe of Wanno Kingdom’, dated February 2, 2026, said the nullification of the selection of Senator Alimikhena, a former Chief Whip of the 8th National Assembly, followed the failure of the kingmakers to abide by the Council’s directive that suspended the filling of the stool till further notice.

Imhanobe said the Local Government Council had in a letter dated January 30, 2026, with reference No-EELG 2706/12, formally informed the Senior Ukpi Drummer (kingmakers) of the Agiode Ruling House of the postponement of the election earlier scheduled for January 31, 2026, to fill the vacant stool of the Okumagbe of Wanno Kingdom.

He said the postponement followed the receipt of an originating summons from the Agenebode High Court, Reference No. HAG/3/2026.

According to him, the Council, was,  however, surprised that contrary to the directive, an election was allegedly conducted and a purported winner announced.

“The Council wishes to state unequivocally that it aligns with the position of the Government of Edo State on the supremacy of due process, and the rule of law.

“Accordingly, the Council will neither condone nor participate in any action that amounts to disobedience of court processes or established procedures of governance.

“Consequently, the Council, acting in strict compliance with the rule of law and due process, cannot validate, recognise, or confirm any election that was neither authorised, monitored, nor supervised by it.

“The Council therefore strictly directs the people of Wanno Clan and the general public to refrain from all actions concerning the vacant Okumagbe stool and to await the outcome of the pending suit and the lawful directives of the government,” Imhanobe said.

Despite the formal suspension of the process, the kingmakers on Saturday, January 31, 2026, elected Alimikhena, who represented Edo North Senatorial district between 2015 and 2023, as the new traditional ruler of the kingdom.

DAILY POST recalls that the authorities of the Etsako East Local Government had on January 27, 2026, ordered the filling of the vacant stool of the Okumagbe of Uwano Kingdom.

The letter addressed to the Senior Ukpi Drummer, Agiode Ruling House, said the filling of the stool was a result of the dethronement of the former Okumagbe of the kingdom, Dr George Egabor by the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo.

The former Okumagbe, now late, was dethroned on April 30, 2025, over alleged incessant cases of security lapses in the kingdom particularly kidnappings and killings.

LG council nullifies selection of ex-Senate Chief Whip as Okumagbe of Wanno Kingdom