The Delta State Government today approved the appointments of Prof Epiphany Azinge (SAN) as the Asagba of Asaba and Dr Greg Oputa as the Obi of Aboh despite protests that greeted the selection of the two monarchs.
Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza, the Information Commissioner made the announcement today at Government House, Asaba on the outcome of the EXCO meeting presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
He said the two traditional rulers selections by their communities were approved by the government.
In the case of Asagba of Asaba, The Pond News understands that one of the aspirants to the Asagba stool, Ogbueshi Anthony Ogugua an engineer had gone to court to challenge the process that brought Azinge to the throne.
In a suit No DTHC/ASB/CV/254/2024 filed before Justice P N Obanor of the Delta State High Court, Asaba, Konwea argued that the due process was not followed.
Speaking through his lawyer. E.L. Akpoure (SAN), Konwea prayed the court :’That after the death of the erstwhile Asagba of Asaba, who was from Umuezei quarters of Asaba, it became the turn of his Ugbomanta quarters to produce the next Asagba of Asaba, in line with the long established order of rotation.
That by virtue of the rotational principle entrenched in the registered Declaration, which the people of Ugbomanta quarters also adopted to regulate the nomination/selection of the next candidate to occupy the stool of Asagba of Asaba, it is the turn of Isieke village of Ugbomanta quarters and not that of Umudaike village to produce the next candidate to occupy the stool of the Asagba of Asaba.’
The Pond News understands that Obi Prof Epiphany Azinge, Asagba of Asaba is from Umudaike village.
On the part of Aboh people, a protest was led to Asaba by the former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly Hon Olise Imegwu that Obi Gregory Oputa was an imposition.
Imegwu alleged a lorry load of police invaded Aboh, the day the king was crowned.
Speaking about the crowning of Obi Gregory Oputa, the president general of Aboh community, High Chief Sir John Ajie Ogwu challenged the king to produce the video of his crowning and the person who placed the crown on his head.
The Pond News appeals to all those aggrieved to follow the legal process to challenge the selection of two kings .
Asaba as the state capital is too strategic to be involved in royal rumblings.
Similarly, the ancient city of Aboh should be spared any form of crisis because of kingship tussle.
