Protest, Anger Greets Installation
The Asagba-in-Council has announced the selection of a Professor of Law and Okilolo of Asagba, Epiphany AZINGE (SAN), as the 14th Asaba of Asaba designate
The Ochendo Ahaba, Louis Edozien, who announced this after a solemn democratic selection process, said it was in line with the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Edict of 1979, applicable to Delta State.
Protests, Anger Greet the Installation of New Asagba of Asaba
A large crowd, however, demonstrated against the installation of new Asagba with a section of the town saying that Prof Epiphany Azinge was not qualified for the crown.
One of the contenders spoke who spoke to Arise television said the kingmakers disregarded the rotation principle.
Among those not happy with the choice of Prof Epiphany Azinge as the Asagba designate are Mr Tony Ogugua Konwea, Prof Emmanuel Onwuka and Ogbueshi Chinedu Esealuka.
The Fidelitynews gathered that because of the unfavorable Arise News report, the TV crew were barred from covering the event at the Asagba palace today.
Recalled that a group , Concerned Asaba Indigenes has warned of the dangers of installing the wrong person as the new Asagba of Asaba.
The group in an open letter to the king makers warned that between Konwea and Azinge,none was worthy of the crown if any of them is selected in breach of tradition and in violation of the customary laws regulating succession to the Asagba stool.
The group took strong exception to ‘no rotation or zoning within Ugbomanta in the nomination and selection process…. any qualified man can be selected, regardless of the family,Idumu, or Ogbe, where he hails from within Ugbomanta’.
The group added that zoning has been an age long device to make rooms for inclusiveness, equity and fairness among the contending individuals, villages and Ebos.
The group lamented that the disposition of the Asagba in council that there should be no zoning within the Ugbomanta quarters was unheard of and unprecedented.
A prominent Asaba chief and the Okpala Onisha, Ogbueshi Olisaedua Uwaechia said it was wrong for the Asagba in council to void the rotation principle in the choice of new Asagba of Asaba.
Despite these objections, the king makers today installed Prof Epiphany Azinge, a senior, advocate of Nigeria,as the 14th Asagba of Asaba.