The family of Shayau Momodu has accused the Ayuele Solidarity Front (ASF), a coalition of sons and daughters of the Ayuele clan, of mischief and attempt to stoke disharmony in Agbede Community.

The reaction followed an appeal by the ASF to Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, to intervene in a tense chieftaincy row rocking Agbede Community in Edo State.

A statement signed by Mariam Ohanmu and Fatai Momoduthe, the first daughter and one of the sons of the late Oba M.S Momodu, respectively, noted: “Our attention has been drawn to a report in The Guardian Newspaper dated March 16, 2026, titled ‘Edo Community Seeks Okphebholo’s Intervention in Chieftaincy Crisis.’ We are writing to formally address and correct the deliberate misrepresentations regarding the succession of the late Oba Momodu Sani Momodu II, the former paramount ruler of the Agbede Community in Edo State.

“It is evident from the false allegations contained in that report that the group in question is a hurriedly assembled body aiming to cause mischief and stoke disharmony among the peaceful people of Agbede.”
 
The statement noted that the claim that Prince Shayau Sani Momodu is “falsely parading himself” as the new monarch is entirely baseless. It maintained that Prince Shayau is the rightfully chosen and popular successor selected to ascend the throne following the demise of Oba Momodu II in 2018.
 
The statement added: “Given his status as the consensus choice of the kingmakers, the accusation that he ‘broke into the palace’ is not only preposterous but logically flawed.
 
“The group’s allusion to pending litigation omits critical context. On January 12, 2026, Justice U.I. Erameh delivered a significant ruling upholding the Bendel State Legal Notice 46 of 1987. The court affirmed that the Athebedha Ruling House holds the exclusive right to nominate a candidate for the throne.
 
“Following this judgment, the Ruling House, the Council of Chiefs, and the broader community unanimously approved the selection of Prince Shayau Sani Momodu.
 
Clarifying the status of litigation, the statement noted that while a member of the ruling house, Abdul-Lateef Momodu, initially sought an ex parte motion to halt the installation process, the community previously resisted attempts by Abdul-Lateef to foist himself on the throne, preferring the academic qualifications and character of Prince Shayau.
 
“Cross-motions were filed to maintain the status quo pending the substantive suit,” the statement added.

It stressed that the ongoing legal challenge has become largely academic, as Prince Abdul-Lateef himself has since declared his full support for his brother, Shayau, as the next Oba of Agbede.