The Oba of Benin Palace has upheld the resolution of elders of Obagie N’ Evbosa village, led by its Odionwere (village head), Pa. Omozuhiomwen Okungbowa to elevate the former Okaighele, Mr. Festus Ekenaiye Edegbe into Edion (Elders’ Council) of the community.
This was after Odionwere had previously said that he had appointed Mr. Uyi Igiebor as the new Okaighele of the village in Ikpoba Okha Local government Area of Edo State when he led his elders to the Palace.
Pa. Okungbowa also revealed that he has carried out Palace directive to make peace with his people, but lamented that all entreaties he made in the past for Mr. Edegbe to present himself to elders of the village for induction were rebuffed.
Addressing the elders of Obagie N’ Evbosa, Chief Osaro Idah, the Obazelu of Benin after listening to the various submissions by parties in the dispute, said the appointment of Okaighele is the prerogative of the Odionwere in consultation with other elders of the village.
Chief Obazelu who was joined by other Palace Chiefs, warned the elders of Obagie N’ Evbosa village against ceding their communal land to any individual or Palace functionaries as a bargaining chip.
He also asked the Ozukpogieva (Second most senior elder), Pa. Igbinovia Owenaze, and four other elders of Obagie N’ Evbosa, to validate the deposition of the Odionwere of the village before the Palace, a development they unanimously endorsed
