Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Edo State Governor, has assured the people of Okpella in Etsako East Local Government Area that his administration will ensure peace returns to their community, to enable them go about their normal business activities.

The Governor gave the assurance when he met with title holders, political leaders and other stakeholders from Okpella Community, at the New Festival Hall in Government House.

Okpebholo said he felt very bad when informed about the killings in the area, adding that it is not acceptable to his administration and would therefore find a way to address it.

According to Fred Itua, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, in a statement, Okpebholo noted that kingship is very important to communities, as no one can install or impose a king on the people. He added that kingship should be the collective decision of king makers.

“I welcome you to Government House and I am happy to see all of you as I have taken Okpella as my second home. Whatever happens to Okpella, happens to me.

“I felt very bad when I heard about the killings in the area. To me, it is not acceptable and it is wrong. We will find a way to address it. We will study the letter you just submitted. We will address it very fast.

“Kingship is very important to communities. No single man can install or impose a king to govern so many people as we all need the collective decision of kingmakers to install a King.

“I will invite you here again to discuss with the kingmakers to get the full details of what happened in Okpella and how we can resolve it as quickly as possible. Okpella must be a safe ground for us because we have a lot of mineral deposits in Okpella.

“We have two big cement companies there in Okpella and they need peace, absolute peace to operate. We have leaders to rely on and I believe in no time, we will resolve the issue of kingship in Okpella and restore peace in the community. We will meet again to put a full stop to the issues of kingship in your land,” he concluded.

Leader of the delegation and member representing Etsako East Federal Constituency, Hon. Anamero Dekeri on behalf of the Okpella Community, congratulated the Governor on his well deserved victory at the September 21 governorship election in the state.

High Chief Hanson Aimofumhe who read the speech prepared by Okpella Council of Village Heads and Chiefs, said the previous administration of Mr. Godwin Obaseki had brought disunity to Okpella through the imposition of the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella on the people.

He appealed to the governor to immediately nullify the appointment of Lukman Akemokue as Okuokpellagbe of Okpella for non-compliance with the processes as set out in the extant laws.

“Godwin Obaseki saw the vacant Okuokpellagbe stool as an opportunity to compensate a political ally for the ‘dirty’ jobs he did in his favour, before and during the September 21 governorship election in Edo State,” he alleged.

Other notable personalities at the meeting include the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Hon. Dennis Idahosa; Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Musa Ikhilor; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Gani Audu; Head of Service, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa; Hon. Godwin Eshieshi, High Chief Joshua Ogene, Prince Bombay Afegbua among others.