Tension is mounting in Ingle Edumoga Community of Ingle/Okpale Ward, Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State, as elders and youths have petitioned Governor Hyacinth Alia over the planned appointment of a new District Head, alleging a violation of the traditional rotational arrangement.
The stakeholders, who insist it is the turn of Ingle Edumoga to produce the next District Head of Edumoga Chiefdom, accused the Ad’Okpokwu, Chief James Okefe, of attempting to sidestep the long-standing zoning principle by backing a candidate from another ward.
In a three-page petition addressed to Governor Alia and copied to traditional and political leaders in the area, the community described the alleged move as an affront to justice, equity and the established customs governing succession to the traditional stool.
The petition, signed by the Chairman of Ingle Community, Mr. Gabriel Ugboyi Ogwuchea, National Matron/Women Leader, Mrs. Elizabeth Ochada, and National Youth Leader, Engr. Joseph Otobo, urged the governor to intervene before the situation escalates.
According to the petitioners, the selection of District Heads in Edumoga Chiefdom has historically followed a rotational arrangement designed to promote fairness and peaceful coexistence among the constituent wards.
They maintained that available records show that other wards had already occupied the position, making Ingle Edumoga the rightful community to produce the next District Head.
The stakeholders further claimed that the position of Ingle Edumoga was unanimously endorsed during a meeting of all ward heads convened at the palace of the 3rd Class Chief of Edumoga, Chief Ojo Emmanuel Ochechema.
“At that meeting, the ward heads unanimously agreed and affirmed that it is indeed the rightful turn of Ingle Edumoga to produce the next District Head,” the petition stated.
The community warned that any attempt to ignore the agreed rotational principle could undermine peace in the area and create avoidable tension within the chiefdom.
The petition also levelled allegations against Chief Okefe, accusing him of attempting to manipulate the succession process and alleging that financial inducements may have influenced the decision. However, no evidence was provided in the petition to substantiate the claim.
The petitioners appealed to Governor Alia to halt any process aimed at installing a District Head from outside Ingle Edumoga pending a thorough investigation into the succession arrangement.
They urged the governor to direct the relevant traditional authorities to respect the established rotational system and ensure that the next District Head is selected from qualified candidates nominated by Ingle Edumoga.
The community maintained that its members remain peaceful and law-abiding but cautioned that continued disregard for what they described as their legitimate claim could heighten tensions in the area.