The Edo State House of Assembly has summoned youths from Ikpeshi community in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area following a violent clash stemming from a kingship dispute and revenue collection disagreements. Speaker Blessing Agbebaku announced the summons during Tuesday’s plenary session, citing the intervention as a move to restore peace after reports of fatalities and the burning of the traditional ruler’s palace.
Agbebaku strongly condemned the violence, emphasizing its contradiction to Governor Monday Okpebholo’s commitment to peaceful coexistence within the state. He directed all involved factions to cease hostilities and appear before the lawmakers on Wednesday for immediate dialogue and peaceful resolution, pledging the assembly’s commitment to resolving any threats to public peace. He also tasked Mr. Donald Okogbe, the representative for Akoko-Edo II, with ensuring representatives from both factions attend the assembly.
Speaking to reporters after the plenary, Okogbe confirmed that the conflict revolved around revenue rights and the kingship dispute. He assured that security operatives have been deployed to restore normalcy to the affected area. “I got a call from the traditional ruler on the crises, and I immediately notified the speaker who announced it at plenary,” Okogbe stated.
In other business, the House passed four bills for their first reading, including a bill to repeal the 2023 sanitation law and enact a new sanitation policy for 2025. The Assembly also adopted 54 sitting days for the first quarter of the third session of the eighth house assembly.
