There is growing apprehension over the health of the 99-year-old Asagba of Asaba, Obi (Prof) Chike Edozien.
Palace sources according to tradition would not disclose the true situation until the normal protocol is strictly followed.
Some Asaba indigenes are however worried over his health and were engaged in hushed conversation since Thursday morning over the condition of the monarch that will be clocking 100 years on July 28 this year.
Meanwhile, the Palace has said the revered traditional ruler was only hospitalised and not dead.
The palace secretary, Ogbueshi Ndili made the clarification when contacted on phone saying, “His Royal Majesty is only hospitalized. If the worse comes to the worse, we will make it open”, Ndili stated.
Similarly, the member representing Oshimili South Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Bridget Anyafulu denied knowledge about his condition.
The state government and Delta North Council of Traditional Rulers are also not in a rush to state the true position of the health of the traditional ruler.
“We don’t announce the demise of a traditional ruler. Only Asaba people can do that” another monarch disclosed.
This may not be unconnected to the anxiety in the early hours of Thursday that the monarch had passed on, causing anxiety in the state.
Recall that on the 9th of January this year a committee dubbed as ‘The Asagba of Asaba Centenary Birth Anniversary Committee’ rolled out a programme of events in connection with the centenary anniversary headed by the Ojiba of Asaba, Chief Ben Okonta.
