Danger Looms Over Seimbiri Kingship In Delta As Edegbene Allegedly Rejects Boson
By Ndu Samuel
Tension is gradually building in Seimbiri Kingdom, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, following rising controversies surrounding the succession process to the revered stool of Ebenanaowei (Pere), with strong warnings now emanating from stakeholders in Edegbene community.
An opinion leader in Edegbene, General Okunduopagha James, popularly known as Don Banky, has declared unequivocally that Mr. Joseph Edesemi Boson is not from Edegbene community, stressing that he lacks both ancestral and customary legitimacy to contest for the stool under Edegbene.
Speaking on behalf of concerned sons and daughters of the community, Don Banky warned that allowing non-indigenes to infiltrate the process could destabilise the long-standing peace and traditional order within Seimbiri Kingdom.
“It is on record that Joseph Edesemi Boson previously contested a kingship stool in Tuomo (TT) Clan and lost to HRM Justice F.F. Tabai. At another time, he claimed to be from Enekorogha community. Now that the stool has been zoned to Edegbene, he suddenly claims to be one of us. We state clearly that he is not from Edegbene,” he said.
He explained that genealogical and customary records trace Boson to the Okpotiye lineage under the Dunogusu ruling house, which comprises Omukorogbene, Okpotiegbene, Kemeseiseigbene (Opuruteigbene), Akpigebene, and Epamugbene (Boygbene) none of which are part of Edegbene community.
Don Banky emphasised that Edegbene people are not a conquered group within Seimbiri Kingdom and have capable, qualified sons who can legitimately occupy the stool without resorting to “borrowed identity or questionable indigene claims.”
The position of the community is reinforced by a formal petition by EG Legal Practitioners on behalf of Edegbene leaders to the Chairman of the Seimbiri Traditional Council, calling for the urgent stoppage of what was described as “illegal nomination, intention and campaign” by Mr. Joseph Boson and Mr. Andrew Ebigbagha.
The petition, dated March 6, 2026, highlights that succession to the kingship is governed by the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Edict of 1979 and the Declaration of Customary Law regulating succession, which provides for rotational leadership among constituent communities.
Following the demise of the last monarch from Okpokunou and the judicial autonomy granted to Oboro community, the petition asserts that it is now the turn of Edegbene to produce the next king.
The legal representatives further warned that no individual is permitted to indicate interest or campaign outside laid-down customary procedures, noting that such actions could lead to a breakdown of peace.
They alleged that Boson and Ebigbagha have been parading themselves as candidates from Edegbene, thereby misleading the public and heightening tension within the community.
Raising further alarm, Don Banky called on key stakeholders to urgently intervene before the situation escalates.
He specifically appealed to Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), the Delta State Governor, and relevant security agencies to wade into the matter.
“We are calling on Tompolo, the Delta State Government, and all security agencies to step in immediately before this issue dovetails into something else. This is a sensitive traditional matter that must be handled with care to avoid crisis,” he stated.
He reiterated firmly that Joseph Edesemi Boson is not from Edegbene community and should not be recognised or engaged in any capacity as a representative of the community in the Seimbiri kingship process.
Community leaders have therefore urged authorities to uphold the law, respect established customs, and ensure that only rightful indigenes of Edegbene participate in the succession process.
Observers warn that unless swift action is taken, the growing dispute could escalate into a broader conflict capable of undermining peace and stability in Seimbiri Kingdom.
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