The near decade-long misunderstanding between the Asagba of Asaba and the Akor of Oko Kingdom over the sharing of the monthly stipends accruing from the statutory 5 percent allocation of the Oshimili South Local Government has been resolved.
Announcing this at a joint meeting of the Asaba and Oko Kingdoms at the Council’s Secretariat in Asaba on Friday, the Local Government Chairman, Dr. Obi Kelvin Ezenyili, traced the embroglio to the prolonged legal battle between the two Kings, dating back to 2016 with series of injunctions, judgments, Appeals and cross Appeals.
Dr. Ezenyili acknowledged that the right to seek redress in a Court of Law undoubtedly remained a civil right for every aggrieved person and should be exhausted, but
implore every civic community to embrace the approach of conflict mediation and resolution to promote economic development, increase inter personal relationships, exchange of ideas rather than conflicts.
The Council Chairman said he had, in his calm and sober state, reflected on the communal and harmonious relationship that once existed in time past that resulted in inter marriages and trading amongst people from Asaba and Oko, which propelled him to intervene in ensuring that the long lasting dispute was resolved right from his first tenure as Chairman in 2021.
“The route for the amicable resolution of the prolonged dispute between our Royal Majesties, as earlier stated, began in my first tenure as Executive Chairman when I made promises during my campaigns to engage in the process of mediation which initiative yielded little or no result but culminated to my second tenure with the end result of what we are witnessing today.
“Today marks an epoch making event in Oshimili South Local Government Area with the amicable reconciliation of both Royal Majesties of Asaba and Oko Kingdoms. Without an iota of doubt, I certainly believe that I am the happiest person amongst us all.
“At this juncture, I wish to appreciate His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, who granted me permission to embark on this second voyage of reconciliation, which exercise has resulted in a significant milestone in the history of Oshimili South. On behalf of the people of Oshimili South Local Government Area, I say “Thank you”, Your Excellency.
“Let me sincerely use this medium to applaud both Royal Majesties for the spirit of reciprocity displayed during the period of mediation and reconciliation. My gratitude also goes to the Palace Chiefs and everyone involved in the process for sheathing their swords.
“Above all, I wish to appreciate the Almighty God for using me as a viable tool to broker peace in Oshimili South Local Government Area, my prayer is that the peace will be enduring in Jesus name, Amen”, Dr. Ezenyili stated.
In a rare display of transparency and accountability, the Council Chairman presented a detailed account of the cumulative amount accruing to the traditional rulers since the payment of the stipends was suspended sometime during the reign of the late Asagba of Asaba, HRM, Prof Chike Edozien, till September, 2025.
Responding, the Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Prof Epiphany Azinge, SAN, OON, thanked the Oshimili South Council Chairman for a job well done and appreciated him for the due diligence demonstrated in the pursuit of an amicable resolution of the dispute between the two stools, which had been there for almost a decade now.
“We’re all happy that this has been brought to an amicable conclusion, and credited must go to His Excellency, the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori and of course to Mr. Chairman here seated. It’s easier to see the end, but possibly not seeing the process. It has been a very very occasionally uncharted process of engagement trying to find out how to navigate some of the percentages. A lot of tos and fros, but the good things is that there was an open mind and a desire to get to the YES, as we normally say in mediation.
“It got to the point where both parties genuinely came to the YES and the result is what we are seeing today. So, it wasn’t an easy process. I must also appreciate all those who were here from time to time; representatives of both Kingdoms meeting with the Chairman and management of the Council to try to harmonize things and come to a conclusion. I believe that gave us a working document, brought us to the point of department and led us to taking decisions.
“We must also appreciate the Council on both side. Those who also spent their time and energy to achieve reconciliation as it is through the Court process which is also acceptable as part of dispute resolution mechanism. Having gone through all these processes, today we are here to stamp authority on this document. As has already been articulated, Mr Chairman you have shown a lot of integrity. From what we’ve seen, from the documentation and presentation, we believe that history will be kind to you when this story is told and when this matter is revisited, that you stuck out your neck diligently and assiduously to bring this matter to a conclusion.
” Let me make this point. There has never been a dispute between the two Kingdoms. Perhaps, a misunderstanding as far as stipends are concerned, but we never imagined that it translated to a dispute between the two Kingdoms. I never saw it that way, and I believe that my predecessor, the 13th Asagba, never also saw it that way. Perhaps, proceeding on principle, there were some issues that needed to be resolved, but they never translated to any dispute between the people of Asaba and Oko. We remain brothers and sisters; we remain inextricably inter-twined, as part and parcel of Oshimili South and we will always continue to work together in peace and harmony to ensure that we cohabit as a people; and that we all come together as critical stakeholders to push our environment forward”, the First Class Monarch stated.
Also speaking, the Akor of Oko Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Engr. Osita 1, adopted the submissions of Asagba Prof Azinge, and thanked the Oshimili South Council Chairman and all others who contributed to the resolution of the matter.
Traditional Chiefs from both Kingdoms were among dignitaries that witnessed the reconciliation and resolution.
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