The Asagba of Asaba, Obi Epiphany Azinge, has said there was nothing wrong with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State personally presenting the staff of office to him.

The 14th Asagba referred to the matter while fielding questions from newsmen at his palace during a press parley slated to unfold a week-long series of activities marking his coronation, warning those making it an issue to stop raising eyebrows.

He said the argument the matter generated was uncalled for because the governor did not do anything untoward, and anyone raising an eyebrow over the matter should stop.

“It is proper that things are put in proper perspective. The Asaba throne is a first-class position. There is no denying that fact. Besides, this is Asaba; this is the capital of Delta State. This is Asaba, that used to be the capital of Nigeria. I sit on the throne of this land.

“There is nothing untoward in him (the governor) coming. It should be an exception by virtue of the position Asaba occupies, so there is nothing untoward in what happened.

“We must put that in context. So let nobody protest because Asaba remains the capital of Delta State and there should be exceptions to the rule,” he declared.

On politics and traditional institutions, especially when politicians visit him during electioneering periods for royal blessings and possible endorsements, the Asagba said monarchs should be the fathers of all and, in doing so, he remains apolitical.

“He is not partisan in any way, so to that extent, you have to accommodate all of them as your children at the appointed time. The only thing is that nobody can pressure you (the traditional ruler) to do what you don’t want to do.

“Yours is to assess your children (subjects), pray for them, give them all the blessings, and ensure that things work out for them. You are not expected to pitch a tent with anybody, and we should never be pressured. Once we do that, I believe we can navigate that path clearly and come out of it,” he stated.

On the litigation challenging the Asagbaship selection process, he said Asaba is very, very democratic and accommodating.

“When an exercise has been completed and overwhelmingly and unanimously concluded, it is still the prerogative of anybody that feels otherwise to exercise the next right of option.

“And indeed, one or two people, after the host of people sent in their congratulatory messages, one or two people opted to exercise the option of going to court, and they did. And for me, that is acceptable and that is understandable.

“Definitely, we will push that to the highest level, as the case may be. So we will engage. We will take them to court, and we are prepared to do so because, as far as we are concerned, all the issues raised are very spurious,” he assured.

Delta: ‘Governor did nothing wrong’ – Asagba of Asaba