The “kolanut incident” involving Prof. Joseph Chike Edozien, the Asagba of Asaba, occurred shortly after he became the 13th Asagba of Asaba in 1991. It became one of the most talked-about traditional contrøversies in Delta State.
WHAT HAPPENED?
At a state function in Asaba, Delta State, attended by the military governor, Air Commodore Luke Chijiuba, and traditional rulers, the ceremonial kolanut was presented to the Orodje of Okpe, who was then Chairman of the Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers, to bless and break it.
Prof. Edozien objected. He explained that Asaba custom requires that whenever the Asagba is present at a public event in Asaba, only the Asagba has the traditional right to receive, bless, and break the kolanut. If the Asagba is absent, the oldest Asaba man present performs the rite. Having another traditional ruler perform the ceremony in Asaba was, in his view, a viølation of Asaba customs.
Because of the breach of tradition, Prof. Edozien and other Asaba chiefs walked out of the event in protest. He later argued: “We objected because it was desecration of our tradition and customs, so that was the reason why we walked out of the arena.”
WHAT HAPPENER AFTERWARDS
The walkout angëred the Delta State government. Prof. Edozien faced punishment from the government. The monarch confirmed that he was “punished for defending the customs of my people.” He added that the incident strained relations between the government and the Asaba traditional institution for some time.
However, in the end, the government understood how passionately the Asagba loved and wanted the tradition of his people sustained.
The kolanut contrøversy has since become a landmark example in discussions about the authority of traditional rulers within their own kingdoms as well as the importance of respecting local customs at official state events.
The late Prof. Edozien was born on this day, July 28, 1924, he passed away on February 7, 2024, aged 99.