Prominent traditional rulers of Anioma extraction have expressed concern about the plethora of traditional institutions in the region, which they say threatens unity and cohesion among the Kings.
This was the fulcrum of discussions when the Obi of Owa Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Dr. Emmanuel Efeizomor II; led a delegation of two other traditional rulers and some of his Palace Chiefs on a courtesy visit to the Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Prof Epiphany Azinge, SAN, OON.
Responding to remarks by the Owa Monarch, Asagba Prof Azinge noted that the multiplicity of traditional rulers in Delta North had become a source of worry which, if not checked, could lead to Balkanisation with chains of autonomous communities, as was applicable to neighbouring climes.
He said: “There are other issues that you raised, one of which is the multiplicity or plethora of traditional rulers in Delta North. Your Majesty, it also worries me, and for me it is becoming more like a balkanisation, and I have seen it play out across the Niger with chains of autonomous communities, and I don’t think that we should go that way.
‘’So, I agree with you that the plethora of traditional institutions littered all over the place is a major challenge to us. I also agree with you, Your Majesty, that a time will come when those of them that are not accommodated in the Traditional Rulers’ Council will start coming after us, believing that we are the obstacles, not even knowing that we are not.
‘’Already, that has started happening because every now and then I receive so many calls from some of the traditional rulers that are not members of the Council, and all they are saying is, may be you have the ears of the Governor, we want to come to Council, we want to be part of it, we want to be members.
‘’And more often than not, I don’t even know what to tell them because that opportunity is not there. But, now it is at this stage, what happens when we progress? Only God knows. So, it is something worth reflecting over so that we know how to checkmate it and how we can handle it effectively’’, the Asagba said.
The highly revered Asaba Monarch further agreed with Obi Efeizomor that there was the need for traditional rulers in Delta North to bond, as well as resist attempts by Presidents-General of the communities to rub shoulders with them or challenge their sovereignty.
He thanked the Owa Monarch for the visit, recalling that his first official outing as Asagba, after his coronation, was to Owa, which he said was well thought out, calculated and strategic because of the shared bond of friendship that pre-dated his ascension to the throne.
His Royal Majesty, the Asagba, said joining Obi Efeizomor as a King was a mark of honour and a privilege, stressing that beyond taking him as a friend, the Owa Monarch had remained a father figure, whose 67 years on the throne had made him an institution, and no longer just a king.
Earlier, HRM, Efeizomor II, who spoke extensively on his personal relationship with Asagba Prof Azinge and his high regards and respect for him, expressed concerns over the growing fragmentation of traditional institutions in the region, with no fewer than 75 traditional rulers.
The population, he said, was too unwieldy for any government to accommodate. “Tell me how any government can accommodate that number in the State’s Traditional Rulers’ Council. Very soon, the traditional rulers surrounding you will start grumbling that you have overshadowed them, that you did not fight for them to be members of the State Council.
‘’Look at the issue, some areas that were previously appendages, but for political and other reasons, have become independent today and are now making a mockery of the traditional institution…”
