From Ameachi Prosper (The New Diplomat’s Delta|Edo States Correspondent)
The Asagba of Asaba, Obi Prof. Chike Edozien and the Chairman of Oshimili South LGA, Comrade Uche Osadebe have traded accusations over the forthcoming council election in the state.
While the monarch called on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), to zone the Oshimili South Chairmanship position to Okwe for the sake of peace, fairness and equity in the area, the council chairman who is campaigning for second term, said the Asagba’s campaign for Okwe community was born out of selfishness and greed.
The Asagba spoke in his palace, shortly after a peaceful protest led by the President General of Asaba Develpment Union (ADU), worldwide, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, and the Odogwu of Ahaba, Obi Nwanze Odue against the return of Comrade Osadebe to office.
The Asagba disclosed that in the last 30 years, Asaba has produced the chairman of the Council for eight times while Oko community, where Osadebe hailed from has produced the chairman for five times in the same period.
The Monarch said:“Asaba, Oko and Okwe are the three communities that make up the council area. Asaba, been the largest unit followed by Oko and Okwe. Now, we believe that for peace to reign in the local government, the chairmanship should be rotated among these three communities.
“Asaba Community has produced the chairman about eight times in the last 30 years, Oko, has produced about five times in the same period, Okwe has never produced the chairman.
“So, we feel that for peace to reign, Okwe should be given a chance but it seems that the government is supporting Oko, to enjoy the privilege far beyond the proportion in the local government.
“I think our people wants peace and for peace to reign, they must have equity. They protested because Oko has so much privilege. The information I had is that the Chairman announced that he wants a second term.
“I am not aware that the government has supported him but if the government has supported him, that will make the postulation more serious than it is now.
“The message is what I believed the protest is all about that is, we want peace and progress in our local government and for that, equity must be there and the people don’t want another Oko Chairman.”
He noted that by his assessment in the last 30 years, none of the local government chairmen have done anything worthwhile, “and the present incumbent is worse than others.”
But, in a swift reaction, the incumbent chairman, Comrade Osadebe said: “Because I didn’t allow only him to take the Oshimili South traditional rulers money that belongs to two of them; Asagba of Asaba and Akor of Oko. You can go to the Council Secretariat to see for yourself.”
Meanwhile, Prof. Epiphany Azinge of Asaba Development Union (ADU), and other top Asaba Chiefs protested against the candidature of an Oko indigene as the chairmanship flagbearer of PDP ahead of the council poll.
