Don’t Allow Dispute Between Asagba and Oshimili South Boss Destroy Asaba, APC Tells Okowa

By Joseph Ibata

To prevent the escalation of a full blown crisis in Asaba, the Delta State capital, the opposition in the state, the All Progressives Congress, APC has called on Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to swiftly intervene in the impasse rocking the Asagba-in-Council and the Council Chairman of Oshimili South Local Government.

The call is coming due to the importance of the council area as it hosts vast majority of the State Capital’s infrastructure especially the seat of the Delta State Government and other critical agencies of State and Federal governments.

In a statement on Tuesday, August 17, 2021 by Delta APC signed by the State Publicity Secretary (Caretaker), Barr Sylvester Imonina, Governor Okowa was urged to intervene without delay as Deltans want peace.

The statement read that, “The All Progressives Congress (APC) Delta State, urges Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to step into the economic war brewing between the Asagba-In-Council and the Chairman of Oshimili South Local Government Area of the State. The call becomes inevitable in view of the fact that Asaba is now a cosmopolitan city, and a home to people who are not indigenous to the City.

“Besides, the squabble between the Asagba-In-Council and Oshimili South Local Government Council Chairman could be interpreted wrongly or rightly by members of the public, particularly the Indigenes as an affront and denigration of the traditional stool, and/ or an act of economic and political war against Asaba people.

“Information at the disposal of Delta APC is to the effect that for more than two years, the five percent (5%) stipends that is constitutionally due to Oshimili South Traditional Council is yet to be paid despite humongous monthly Federal allocations to the Local Government Council.

“Also, in spite of several meetings, entreaties and demands made by the Asagba-In-Council, the Chairman gave deaf ears to same. As a result, the Asagba-In-Council recently issued a proclamation to the effect that no one should have any dealing with Oshimili South Local Government Council in respect of some key assets in Asaba, as they belong to Asaba Community.

“Furthermore, we have an information that during the recent birthday celebration of the Asagba of Asaba, Oshimili South Local Government Council Chairman was not invited by the Asagba-In-Council to the celebration. Regrettably, the Council boss allegedly stormed the palace with thugs, for whatever intention, which resulted in malicious damage of properties, while many people sustained different degree of injuries!

“Delta APC unequivocally states that no kingdom and/ or its Indigenes would tolerate the desecration of its traditional stool by any one or group of people by whatever means; as the traditional stool is seen as their symbol of who and what they are.

“We therefore state that whatever the issues are, should be settled without delay by the Governor. Deltans want peace. Politics and economic consideration must not take front row on issues affecting our Royal Fathers and peace of our dear State.”