These are not the best of times in the ancient kingdom of Asaba, as the ongoing dispute between a faction of the royal families and the current Asagba, Professor Epiphany Azinge (SAN), has taken a new twist that could further escalate the disharmony in this once-peaceful town.
The roots of this dispute trace back to the selection process for the 14th Asagba, which has recently intensified amid legal actions and counteractions that threaten to destabilise the kingdom.
The aggrieved families argue that the selection process was flawed, asserting that the current Asagba was not duly elected according to the kingdom’s established customs and traditions. They allege that the process was manipulated by a select few, sidelining the majority of royal family members.
Key figures contesting the Asagba kingship include Ogbueshi Sualeze Eluaka of Umuezei Quarter, Kelvin Awele Isichei of Ugbomanta Quarter, Frank Izuka Nwosa of Umuaji Quarter, Adim Ojei of Umuanaje, and Ogbueshi Anthony Ogugua Konwea of Ugbomanta Quarter—representatives from four of the five quarters (Ebos) of Asaba in the Oshimili-South Local Government Area, Delta State.
This ongoing controversy took another turn recently when the faction of royal families, through their counsel, Chief E. L. Akpofure, SAN, submitted a legal request to the Executive Chairman of the Oshimili-South Local Government Council, demanding an immediate halt to all payments related to the salary, allowances, and other benefits due to the Asagba of Asaba kingdom.
In a letter referenced ELA/TEC/OSLGC/11/24, the faction reminded the Council Chairman that the October 5, 2024, coronation of Prof. Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge, SAN, was fraught with irregularities. The letter highlighted flaws in the succession process, indicating that it deviated from the customary laws outlined in the Registered Declaration made under Section 8 of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Edict, 1979 (now Law), which governs succession to the Asagba title.
The petition also notified the Council of a pending court case between Ogbueshi Anthony Ogugua Konwea and Professor Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge, SAN. Ogbueshi Konwea’s counsel in the suit (DTHC/ASB/CV/254/2024) noted that the rotational protocol documented in law had been grossly violated during the succession exercise. The letter stated that instead of allowing the people of Ugbomanta Quarter to freely and openly select the most qualified candidate for the throne, the process was allegedly manipulated to favour Azinge’s coronation, disregarding the preferences and demands of the people of Ugbomanta, particularly those from Isieke Villa, who felt it was their turn to present a candidate for the throne.
The suit made demands like asking the court to set aside the entire process which led to the emergence and coronation of the current Asagba of Asaba.
It was based on this lawsuit that the faction has petitioned the council to withhold payment to the incumbent Asagba. “On behalf of our clients, we wish to reiterate that as the Executive Chairman of Oshimili-South Local Government Council, who authorises or approves the payment/ disbursement of the salaries, allowances and other benefits accruable to the Stool of the Asagba of Asaba, it is only fair and conscionable not to authorise or approve such payments until the pending suits are determined, one way or the other,” the petition read.
Counsel disclosed that the rationale behind this notice is to avoid a situation where the treasury of the Local Government Council is expended on a wasteful venture in view of the vigorous challenge to the candidacy of the occupant of the ancient stool of the Asagba of Asaba kingdom.
At the time of filing this report, both the Delta State Governor and the current Asagba are yet to respond to the suit. However, as the legal battle intensifies, it remains to be seen how the dispute will be resolved and whether a peaceful and amicable solution can be reached.
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