The Asagba – in – Council, the highest traditional ruling body of the Asaba community, in Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State, has faulted the creation of the Akor of Oko Anala kingdom traditional stool by the Delta State Governnent.
In a press briefing on Friday at the Palace of the Asagba of Asaba, Obi (Prof) Chike Edozien, the Secretary to the Asagba – in – Council, Chief Patrick Ndili, said the state government acted in defiance of laid down procedures for the creation of a new traditional stool, as provided for by the law of Delta State.
Chief Ndili, who is the Ihonor of Asaba, said the Asagba of Asaba was the only recognized traditional stool in Oshimili South Local Government Area, but that acting on the creation of the Akor stool, the title holder petitioned the Oshimili South Council seeking to benefit from the 5% of the monthly statutory allocation of the Council meant for traditional rulers in the Local Government Area.
The Palace Secretary disclosed that the Akor of Oko Anala also approached a court of law for the same reason, which prompted the withholding of the monthly stipends from the Oshimili South Local Government to the Oshimili South Traditional Rulers’ Council since 1st June, 2019, when the Federal Government commenced direct allocation of funds to the Local Government Councils.
He said after all efforts to secure the release of the withheld funds to the Asagba of Asaba, including a one – week ultimatum to the Oshimili South Council Chairman, which elapsed on July 23, and a letter to the State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, in that regard, the Asagba – in – Council met with the community on July 25, 2021, and took far – reaching resolutions.
Chief Ndili said it was resolved that the community should immediately repossess all the properties belonging to it currently being used by the Local Government, either as sources of revenue to the Council or for the enhancement of the Council’s administrative process.
The facilities include the Ogbeogonogo modern market, the Ogbeolie market, the Arcade, the Council’s quarters and the Asagba market, among others.
The Asagba – in – Council, according to him, also resolved to suspend all collaborations between the community and Oshimili South Local Government, and barred all sons and daughters of Asaba from attending any meeting or ceremony organized by the Local Government Council.
He said it was further resolved that the community should take over the duties reserved for the Local Government Council, including refuse disposal and clearing of drains in the Asaba metropolis, while no form of levy or revenue should be collected by the Local Government on any property in Asaba.
The Palace scribe stated that Asaba indigenes were also told not to recognise the Akor of Oko stool, while the community would continue to resist the state government’s attempt to foist the stool on the people.
On the legal implication of discussing a matter in court, the Okilolo of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN), clarified that the case in court bordered on the legality of the Akor stool, not the issue of monthly statutory stipends of the Asagba of Asaba and, therefore, was not an infringement of any aspect of the matter in court.
When contacted, the Chairman of Oshimili South Local Government, Hon Kelvin Ezenyili, said he would not speak on a matter in court, revealing that he had tried to broker peace between the parties to no avail.
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