Edo State Traditional Leadership Dilemma: A Constitutional Abuse and Historical Distortion
By EgbemaVoice,
The Focus Egbema Group has condemned the ongoing manipulation of traditional leadership in Edo State, describing it as a violation of the 1999 Constitution, a distortion of Bendel State history, and a direct threat to unity and peace.
According to the Central Coordinator, Comrade Mingo Meshach Sayami Ogumaka, Edo State is a federation of many ethnic nationalities. No monarch of one tribe can be king over all others. To impose one throne is not only unconstitutional, but it also rewrites our history.”
The 1999 Constitution (Section 42) forbids discrimination based on ethnicity or community. Traditional rulers are custodians of their own people only.
There is no such title as “King of Edo State,” just as there is no “King of Nigeria.”
To legislate one ethnic monarch as chairman over other nationalities is illegal and void in law.
When the Midwest Region was created in 1963 after Nigeria’s first referendum, its foundation was built on the principle of ethnic equality and respect for every nationality’s rulers.
At the inauguration of the region, Dr. Dennis Osadebay, the first Premier, declared: The Midwest belongs to all of us Urhobo, Ijaw, Itsekiri, Isoko, Bini, Esan, Afemai, and others. Each people shall maintain its culture and its ruler.”
This principle was carried into Bendel State (1976–1991), where official gazettes recognized multiple monarchs across ethnic groups. Examples of Recognized Monarchs in Bendel State Gazette:
Bini people – The Oba of Benin.
Esanland – The Onojies of Irrua, Uromi, Ubiaja, Ekpoma, and other Esan kingdoms.
Afemai (Etsako, Owan, Akoko-Edo) – The Otaru of Auchi, the Ojirrua of Irrua, the Okumagbe of Igarra, and other clan monarchs.
Ijaw (Egbema, Gbaramatu, Arogbo) – The Agadagba of Egbema, the Agadagba of Gbaramatu, and recognized Ijaw traditional rulers within Bendel coastal areas.
Urhobo settlers in Bendel North/South – The Ovie of Ughelli, Orodje of Okpe, Ovie of Uvwie, among others, recognized within their domains.
Itsekiri – The Olu of Warri, recognized for the Itsekiri people.
Under Brigadier Samuel Ogbemudia (1967–1975), these monarchs formed local traditional councils, not a single ethnic-dominated council. Ogbemudia emphasized:
The Oba is father of the Bini, the Olu is father of the Itsekiri, the Onojie is father of the Esan, the Otaru is father of Afemai. Government cannot give them children outside their tribes.”
Under Professor Ambrose Alli (1979–1983), Bendel State continued this plural structure. The Bendel State Gazette listed monarchs according to their ethnic groups, not under one central throne.
The Current Danger in Edo State
The new Edo State law that seeks to vest sole traditional chairmanship in one monarch across Edo South betrays this long history.
It ignores the 1963 referendum, which guaranteed autonomy of all ethnic groups.
It violates the Bendel State Gazette, which officially recognized plural monarchs.
It risks creating ethnic unrest, by imposing cultural domination through legislation.
Comrade Ogumaka warned: There is no Oba of Edo State, just as there is no Olu of Delta State or Emir of Northern Nigeria. Kingship is by ethnic origin, not by government decree.”
Our Demands
The Focus Egbema Group therefore declares:
1. Immediate repeal of any law granting one monarch power over others.
2. Restoration of constitutional practice, recognizing every ethnic group’s monarch as gazetted under Midwest/Bendel tradition.
3. National Assembly investigation into Edo State’s abuse of the Constitution.
4. Unity of action among Esan, Afemai, Ijaw, Urhobo, Akoko-Edo, and others to resist any attempt to erase their monarchs.
Conclusion
The Midwest Region was born in 1963 to end domination. Bendel State protected the autonomy of all its ethnic nationalities. The Edo State Government must not betray this history by imposing one king over all.
As Dr. Dennis Osadebay said at Midwest creation: We are free because no one shall again be master over us.”
The Focus Egbema Group insists that this freedom—enshrined in the Constitution and in Bendel’s gazettes—must not be surrendered to unconstitutional manipulation today.
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