society
Tension Brews in Edo Community as Chieftaincy Dispute Sparks Threats to Peace
Tension Brews in Edo Community as Chieftaincy Dispute Sparks Threats to Peace
Uneme-Osu, Edo State — A simmering chieftaincy dispute in Uneme-Osu Community, Edo State, is rapidly escalating into a grave security concern, as community leaders and stakeholders raise alarm over alleged intimidation, threats to life, and a looming breakdown of law and order.

The crisis centres on the disputed claim to the office of Village Head by Mr. Frederick Lucky Iyogun, also known as Fredrick Nyogun, whose emergence has been widely rejected by a majority of indigenes on grounds of alleged violations of long-established customs and traditions.
With tension at a boiling point, residents warn that timely intervention by the Edo State Governor, the State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Commissioner of Police is now critical to avert possible bloodshed, particularly ahead of a scheduled community meeting on December 26.
Tradition at the Heart of the Crisis
Uneme-Osu operates a matrilineal system of succession, governed by a clearly defined traditional process. Under this system, nomination is made through the appropriate maternal kindred, followed by presentation to king makers, scrutiny and approval, coronation by the Odio, presentation to the Clan Head, and final ratification by the relevant government authority.
Community elders insist that any deviation from this process is invalid and capable of triggering communal unrest.
However, according to multiple stakeholders, the process that produced Mr. Iyogun allegedly bypassed critical traditional institutions, including the king makers and the Odio. His selection was reportedly conducted through a family-based election, a method elders describe as alien to Uneme-Osu tradition.
Allegations of Irregularities and Political Shielding
Beyond procedural violations, serious allegations have emerged, including claims of commercialization of the process, bribery, and the use of questionable or falsified documents to secure official recognition.
Adding to the controversy, community sources allege that Mr. Iyogun previously served as an aide to former Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki. They claim that during that period, repeated alarms raised by king makers and elders over the alleged illegal selection process were ignored, a development residents say emboldened the disputed claimant and deepened the crisis.
Historical records, including the Partridge Report of 1957, affirm that village headship in Uneme communities is rotational—a principle already practiced in Erhuru and Ekpedo. Community sources insist the same principle applies to Uneme-Osu.
Although the Iyogun (Udochi) Kindred had previously proposed a rotational arrangement, elders note that the proposal was rejected by other kindreds due to unacceptable conditions, rendering it invalid.
Legitimacy Strongly Disputed
The community overwhelmingly recognizes Dr. S. O. Irune of the Okakwu Kindred, crowned in 2010, as the legitimate Village Head. The emergence of Mr. Iyogun—reportedly from the same kindred—has therefore raised fundamental questions about who nominated him and under what lawful authority.
Further controversy surrounds an alleged kindred known as “Ovbafo’ba”, cited in support of Mr. Iyogun’s claim. Elders describe the group as unknown to Uneme-Osu tradition and possibly fictitious.
Compounding the issue, the Odio, traditionally empowered to crown a Village Head, reportedly refused to crown Mr. Iyogun. Critics argue that any coronation carried out without the Odio’s consent is null and void under customary law.
Security Concerns Escalate
Since parading himself as Village Head, Mr. Iyogun has been accused of harassing and intimidating perceived opponents, as well as imposing illegal fines and levies on villagers, many of whom are already economically vulnerable.
Residents warn that these actions have intensified tension and could spark violent confrontation if urgent intervention is not taken.
“This is no longer just a traditional disagreement,” a community leader said. “It has become a serious security issue that threatens lives and public order.”
Petition to CP IGP MONITIRING UNIT , CP EDO STATE AND DGSS.
Concerned indigenes have formally petitioned the CP IGP monitoring unit, CP Edo state and DGSS, urging it to direct the Nigeria Police Force to immediately caution Mr. Iyogun, restrain him from parading himself as Village Head, and compel him to sign a written undertaking to cease all forms of intimidation and unlawful activities.
They also called for a thorough investigation into the documents used to secure his recognition, including forensic verification where necessary, and the deployment of proactive security measures to prevent violence, especially ahead of the December 26 meeting.
Call for Urgent Intervention
Community leaders are appealing to the Edo State Government, security agencies, and traditional institutions to act swiftly to restore peace, uphold tradition, and prevent Uneme-Osu from sliding into an avoidable crisis.
As tension continues to mount, residents warn that silence or delay could prove costly, stressing that prompt, decisive intervention remains the only path to stability, justice, and lasting peace in the community.
society
Ramadan: Adron Homes Felicitates Muslims, Preaches Hope and Unity
Ramadan: Adron Homes Felicitates Muslims, Preaches Hope and Unity
Adron Homes & Properties Limited has congratulated Muslim faithful on the commencement of the holy month of Ramadan, urging Nigerians to embrace the virtues of sacrifice, discipline, and compassion that define the season.
In a statement made available to journalists, the company described Ramadan as a period of deep reflection, spiritual renewal, and strengthened devotion to faith and humanity.
According to the management, the holy month represents values that align with the organisation’s commitment to integrity, resilience, and community development.
“Ramadan is a time that teaches patience, generosity, and selflessness. As our Muslim customers and partners begin the fast, we pray that their sacrifices are accepted and that the season brings peace, joy, and renewed hope to their homes and the nation at large,” the statement read.
The firm reaffirmed its dedication to providing affordable and accessible housing solutions to Nigerians, noting that building homes goes beyond structures to creating environments where families can thrive.
Adron Homes further urged citizens to use the period to pray for national unity, economic stability, and sustainable growth.
It wished all Muslim faithful a spiritually fulfilling Ramadan.
Ramadan Mubarak.
society
Underfunding National Security: Envelope Budgeting Fails Nigeria’s Defence By George Omagbemi Sylvester
Underfunding National Security: Envelope Budgeting Fails Nigeria’s Defence
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by saharaweeklyng.com
“Fiscal Rigidity in a Time of Crisis: Lawmakers Say Fixed Budget Ceilings Are Crippling Nigeria’s Fight Against Insurgency, Banditry, and Organized Crime.”
Nigeria’s legislature has issued a stark warning: the envelope budgeting system; a fiscal model that caps spending for ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) is inadequate to meet the country’s escalating security challenges. Lawmakers and budget analysts argue that rigid fiscal ceilings are undermining the nation’s ability to confront insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, separatist violence, oil theft and maritime insecurity.
The warning emerged during the 2026 budget defence session for the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) at the National Assembly in Abuja. Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (APC‑Kebbi North), chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, decried the envelope system, noting that security agencies “have been subject to the vagaries of the envelope system rather than to genuine needs and requirements.” The committee highlighted non-release or partial release of capital funds from previous budgets, which has hindered procurement, intelligence and operational capacity.
Nigeria faces a multi‑front security crisis: persistent insurgency in the North‑East, banditry and kidnappings across the North‑West and North‑Central, separatist tensions in the South‑East, and piracy affecting Niger Delta oil production. Despite declarations of a national security emergency by President Bola Tinubu, lawmakers point to a “disconnect” between rhetoric and the actual fiscal support for agencies tasked with enforcement.
Experts warn that security operations demand flexibility and rapid resource allocation. Dr. Amina Bello, a public finance specialist, said: “A static budget in a dynamic threat environment is like sending firefighters with water jugs to a forest fire. You need flexibility, not fixed ceilings, to adapt to unforeseen developments.”
The Permanent Secretary of Special Services at ONSA, Mohammed Sanusi, detailed operational consequences: irregular overhead releases, unfulfilled capital appropriations, and constrained foreign service funds. These fiscal constraints have weakened intelligence and covert units, hampering surveillance, cyber‑security, counter‑terrorism and intelligence sharing.
Delayed capital releases have stalled critical projects, including infrastructure upgrades and surveillance systems. Professor Kolawole Adeyemi, a governance expert, emphasized that “budgeting for security must allow for rapid reallocation in response to threats that move faster than political cycles. Envelope budgeting lacks this essential flexibility.”
While the National Assembly advocates fiscal discipline, lawmakers stress that security funding requires strategic responsiveness. Speaker Abbas Ibrahim underscored that security deserves “prominent and sustained attention” in the 2026 budget, balancing oversight with operational needs.
In response, the Senate committee plans to pursue reforms, including collaboration with the executive to restructure funding, explore supplementary budgets and ensure predictable and sufficient resources for security agencies. Experts warn that without reform, criminal networks will exploit these gaps, eroding public trust.
As one policy analyst summarized: “A nation declares a security emergency; but if its budget does not follow with real resources and oversight, the emergency remains rhetorical.” Nigeria’s debate over envelope budgeting is more than an accounting dispute; it is a contest over the nation’s security priorities and its commitment to safeguarding citizens.
society
Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba (Eritosin) Celebrates as She Marks Her Birthday
Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba (Eritosin) Celebrates as She Marks Her Birthday
Today, the world and the body of Christ rise in celebration of a rare vessel of honour, Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba, fondly known as Eritosin, as she marks her birthday.
Born a special child with a divine mark of grace, Rev. Mother Eritosin’s journey in God’s vineyard spans several decades of steadfast service, spiritual depth, and undeniable impact. Those who know her closely describe her as a prophetess with a heart of gold — a woman whose calling is not worn as a title, but lived daily through compassion, discipline, humility, and unwavering faith.
From her early days in ministry, she has touched lives across communities, offering spiritual guidance, prophetic insight, and motherly counsel. Many testify that through her prayers and teachings, they encountered God in a deeply personal and transformative way. Near and far, her influence continues to echo — not only within church walls, but in homes, families, and destinies reshaped through her mentorship.
A mother in every sense of the word, Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba embodies nurture and correction in equal measure. As a grandmother, she remains energetic in purpose — accommodating the wayward, embracing the rejected, and holding firmly to the belief that no soul is beyond redemption. Her life’s mission has remained consistent: to lead many to Christ and guide them into the light of a new beginning.
Deeply rooted within the C&S Unification, she stands tall as a spiritual pillar in the Cherubim and Seraphim Church globally. Her dedication to holiness, unity, and prophetic service has earned her widespread respect as a spiritual matriarch whose voice carries both authority and humility.
As she celebrates another year today, tributes continue to pour in from spiritual sons and daughters, church leaders, and admirers who see in her a living reflection of grace in action.
Prayer for Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba (Eritosin)
May the Almighty God, who called you from birth and anointed you for His service, continually strengthen you with divine health and renewed vigour.
May your oil never run dry, and may your prophetic mantle grow heavier with greater glory.
May the lives you have nurtured rise to call you blessed.
May your latter years be greater than the former, filled with peace, honour, and the visible rewards of your labour in God’s vineyard.
May heaven continually back your prayers, and may your light shine brighter across nations.
Happy Birthday to a true Mother in Israel — Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba (Eritosin).
More years.
More anointing.
More impact.
If you want this adapted for a newspaper page, church bulletin, Facebook post, or birthday flyer, just tell me the format and tone.
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