By our Correspondent
The Edo State Government has waded into the Kingship dispute in Uneme Osu Community, Akoko Edo Local Government Area, following a petition against His Royal Highness Oba Frederick Lucky Iyogun, Iyogu II of Uneme Osu
The intervention came through the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sir (Dr.) Lucky Eseigbe, who convened a mediation session in response to a petition filed by members of the Uneme Osu Development Association. The petitioners alleged that Oba Iyogun was not qualified to occupy the position, claiming he failed to meet the necessary requirements for his ascension to the throne
In his defense, His Royal Highness Oba Frederick Lucky Iyogun, dismissed the allegations and presented supporting documents, including a 2021 court judgment, which dismissed the case of the opposition. He challenged the petitioner Mr. Samson Olayemi to produce evidence of any attempt or effort by his group and another contender to actualize their dream of ascending the throne since the said judgment.
He also said that the court judgement affirmed that in the over 60 years of the dispute over the throne, the Uneme Osu Development Association at no time in any of its meetings ever mentioned the kingship issue. He was therefore emphatic that he had since last year taken charge of the community at his ascension to the throne and has been doing excellently well.
Dr Eseigbe while acknowledging the submissions of parties to the conflict, said he had listened carefully to both sides and also taken note of the judgement of the court. He urged members of the Uneme Osu Development Association to prioritize unity and work collaboratively with the traditional ruler in the interest of community development.
He stated that there was nothing to disturb the emergence of the traditional ruler since due process was followed in his ascension to the throne.
