Concerned stakeholders of Seimbiri Kingdom have raised an open objection to an alleged decision of the Seimbiri Traditional Council of Chiefs to restrict the ongoing kingship contest to Edegbene town.
In an open letter addressed to the chairman of the Seimbiri Traditional Council, High Chief T.M.O. Douglas, the stakeholders, described the purported restriction as arbitrary, unlawful, and contrary to the provisions of the Seimbiri chieftaincy gazette.
They warned that such a move risks disenfranchising other eligible communities and undermining the legitimacy of the selection process.
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The letter, signed by Chief Eworo Ebimobowei Moses on behalf of the group, expressed “profound disappointment” at what it called a clear departure from established rules.
According to the stakeholders, the gazette governing the Seimbiri kingship makes no provision for rotational succession among villages and does not authorize the exclusion of any eligible community from contesting the throne.
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They cited the gazette’s explicit recognition of five Seimbiri villages, namely Enekorogha, Okpokunou, Oboro, Edegbene, and Dunou-ogusu.
The document, they noted, outlines a clear process in which a meeting of all taxable adults of the appropriate villages is convened to select candidate or candidates for presentation to a clans selection committee comprising ten representatives from each of the five villages.
The stakeholders stressed that the role of the clans selection committee is limited to approving a sole candidate or selecting one among multiple candidates presented, not to restricting eligibility based on an unmentioned principle of rotation.
They argued that any attempt to limit the contest to Edegbene Town contradicts both the letter and spirit of the gazette.
“This purported decision effectively disenfranchises qualified candidates from Enekorogha, Okpokunou, Oboro, and Dunou-ogusu communities,” the letter stated, warning that such action undermines the inclusive and representative framework established for the Seimbiri kingship.
While urging the Traditional Council to rescind the alleged decision and allow the process to proceed in line with the gazette, the stakeholders also issued a firm caution. They stated that failure to correct the situation would leave them with no option but to seek legal redress to ensure that the kingship selection is conducted fairly and in accordance with the law.
The development has heightened tension within the kingdom, with many observers now awaiting the response of the Seimbiri Traditional Council amid growing calls for transparency, adherence to due process, and respect for long-standing customary regulations.
The open letter reads in full;
OPEN LETTER TO THE SEIMBIRI TRADITIONAL COUNCIL OF CHIEFS
ATTENTION:
HIGH CHIEF T.M.O DOUGLAS
OBJECTION TO PURPORTED RESTRICTION OF SEIMBIRI KINGSHIP CONTEST TO EDEGBENE TOWN
We write to express our profound disappointment and strong objection to the Council’s purported decision to arbitrarily limit the contest for the kingship to Edegbene Town, purportedly citing rotational succession. This move is a clear deviation from the established provisions of the gazette, which outlines a transparent and inclusive process for selecting a candidate.
The gazette explicitly states that a meeting of all taxable adults of the appropriate villages as stated in the gazzete are summoned, where a candidate or candidates are selected for presentation to the clans selection committee. This process is designed to ensure fairness and representation from the appropriate villages. Nowhere does the gazette specify rotational succession among villages as a basis for restricting candidacy.
By restricting the contest to Edegbene Town, the Council is effectively disenfranchising qualified candidates from other villages, including Enekorogha,Okpokunou and Dunou-ogusu communities thereby undermining the democratic principles enshrined in the gazette. We find it difficult to comprehend the rationale behind this purported decision, especially when it appears to contradict the clear provisions of the gazette.
As concerned stakeholders and lovers of Seimbiri kingdom, we strongly urge the Council to rescind this purported decision and allow the process to unfold in accordance with the gazette. Every qualified individual from the appropriate villages should be given the opportunity to contest, ensuring a fair and representative selection process.
We implore the Council to prioritize the sanctity of the gazette and the interests of the clan over any parochial considerations. Failure to do so will leave us with no alternative but to seek redress through legal means to ensure that the election is conducted fairly and in accordance with the established rules.
For the avoidance of doubt, the gazette in Paragraph one states: There are five villages in Seimbiri known as “Enekorogha, Okpokunou, Oboro, Edegbene and Dunou-ogusu “
Paragraph two states as follows:
When a vacancy occurs, the chairman or otherwise the eldest man of the appropriate villages (having regard to the order stated stated in paragraph one) community union summon and presides over a meeting of all taxable adults of the village.
At the meeting, a candidate or candidates are selected for presentation to clans selection committee comprising ten representatives from each of the five villages. Where there is only one candidate, the selection committee approves of him. Otherwise, the selection committee 6 a candidate.
It is pertinent at this juncture to break it down:
1. Vacancy occurs: When the traditional ruler position becomes empty.
2. Chairman or eldest man: The leader of the village union (or the eldest man if no chairman).
3. Appropriate villages: The villages taking part in the process (as stated in paragraph one).
4. Summon and preside: Calls and leads a meeting of all taxable adults (those who pay community taxes) in the village.
5. Select candidate(s): The village meeting chooses one or more candidates for the traditional ruler position.
6. Clans selection committee: A committee with 10 reps from each of the 5 Seimbiri villages.
7. Committee’s role:
– If 1 candidate: They approve the candidate.
– If multiple candidates: They select one candidate.
The gazette doesn’t mention rotational succession. It talks about the process for selecting a candidate and doesn’t specify that villages take turns (rotation) in producing the traditional ruler. It’s therefore a blunder to attempt to restrict the Seimbiri kingship contest to Edegbene Town.
We await your prompt response and action.
Sincerely,
Chief Eworo Ebimobowei Moses
For and on behalf of:
Concerned stakeholders of Seimbiri Kingdom