KEY POINTS
- Coalition warns of imminent violence as a claimant defies court orders in Agbede.
- A Federal High Court ruling in January 2026 affirmed succession by strict seniority.
- Group urges Okpebholo to enforce court directives and deploy security to the community.
A community coalition is warning that Agbede, in Edo State’s Etsako West Local Government Area, is edging toward violent confrontation over a traditional throne dispute that authorities have so far failed to resolve, despite a court ruling and a formal suspension order.
The Ayuele Solidarity Front, in a statement issued Sunday and signed by a broad coalition of community leaders, lawyers and retired security officials, called on Governor Monday Okpebholo to intervene personally and directed security agencies to deploy officers before the situation moves beyond the point of peaceful resolution.
Palace broken Into, orders ignored
The Agbede throne dispute centres on succession to the chieftaincy stool left vacant by the death of the late Oba M. S. Momodu. A Federal High Court ruling delivered January 12, 2026 affirmed that succession must follow strict seniority among the late monarch’s sons. The coalition says someone installed a claimant before the relevant parties could formally obtain and act upon the Certified True Copy of that judgment.
What followed, according to the coalition, crossed several legal lines. The claimant and his supporters reportedly forced entry into the Agbede Palace, which had been locked pending lawful installation procedures. The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs issued a formal suspension order. A High Court issued an injunction restraining the claimant from presenting himself as Oba. Neither directive produced compliance.
“The continued provocation, open defiance of court orders, and occupation of the palace have created a highly volatile atmosphere. The patience of the community is wearing thin, and there is now a clear and imminent risk of violent confrontation if urgent steps are not taken,” the statement said.
Signatories include former lawmaker, retired police chief
The statement carried the signatures of former Edo House of Assembly member Hon. Zak Momoh, human rights lawyer and civil society executive Dr Ibrahim Zikirullahi, former Etsako West LGA Vice Chairman Barr. Faruk Mahmud, and retired Chief Superintendent of Police Sanni Zuberu, among others.
The group said it had worked to restrain community youth from taking matters into their own hands but warned that continued inaction from the government would make that task impossible to sustain.
It called on the Department of State Services to examine activities surrounding the dispute and urged all sons and daughters of the Ayuele Clan to remain calm while awaiting what it described as decisive government action on the Agbede throne dispute.
