Controversy trails Sen Alimikhena’s emergence as traditional ruler

By Ozioruva Aliu

BENIN CITY – ‎CONTROVERSY on Tuesday continued to trail last week’s emergence of Sen. Francis Alimikhena as the Okumagbe of Wanno kingdom in Etsako East local government area of Edo State.

Alimikhena represented Edo North in the Senate from 2015 to 2023.

He was elected Okumagbe amidst claims of postponement by the local government chairman, who, through the Secretary of the Council, Edward Imhanobe, said the selection process, initially set for January 30-31, was postponed due to the court order from Agenebode High Court.

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‎The council claimed the Senior Ukpi Drummer of Agiode ruling house was informed, but an election was conducted and a winner announced despite the suspension.

Some supporters of Alimikhena however said there was no court order from the court but only a writ of summons which they argue does not translate to an order.

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An indigene of the community told Vanguard that “The entire people of Uwanno are so happy that they made the process so stress free.

Despite fake interpretation by the Local Government Council of writ of summon interpreted as court injunction and erroneously postponed a process approved by the people’s Governor, Senator Okpebholo who has always been committed to due process.

“Another surprising thing is that in the court summon, the Governor, the Commissioner for Chieftaincy affair, the selected people’s king and king makers were there without the Local government because the acting Chairman of the council is the masquerade behind the suit. How can a council Chairman fight a system he is benefitting and contesting elections?”

When contacted, Alimikhena said he was duly elected as the Okumagbe and that he was not served any court paper nor aware of any order.

He said “If somebody go to court and you are not served, is it effective on you. They went to court, we have not seen any court summon. I was not served. The Council is not part of the summon. The council was not part of the defendants. We were not served. Why should the council who is not a defendant act on

” The letter postponing was not given to the kingmaker. They only gave it to the social media. I remain Okumagbe elect.”

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