- Says He Can’t Disrespect Royal Fathers Like Wike
For insulting his government and allegedly displaying lackluster attitude towards the leadership of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, chairman of the council, HRM Sergeant Awuse, who was appointed by the immediate past governor, Nyesom Wike, has been sacked.
In his place, the paramount ruler of Apara Kingdom in Wike’s Obio/Akpor Local Government, Eze Chike Worlu Wodo, has been appointed by the governor, Sim Fubara. Fubara made this known on Friday when he met with traditional rulers in the state.
Awuse, an ally of Wike, according to Fubara, did not show signs of leadership, hence the decision to remove him. The governor said Awuse failed to steer the affairs of the council aright, and was unable to promote cordial relationship among members and with the state government.
He said: “I want the council to live up to its responsibility. From my observation, the council is moribund. So, I can feel that the council, for a while now, has been very inactive. Inactive because, maybe, the chairman has decided not to be responsible as a chairman. I think that is the best way to describe it.
“I am not talking about other things that have been happening. But I feel there are responsibilities of the chairman, and so far, I have not felt it and you can also attest to that, that you are not seeing that leadership that you expect.
“I would like to draw your attention to a special insult that was meted to this government. The council produced a calendar for the year of our Lord 2024, and the Governor’s picture, and the Deputy Governor’s picture are not in the calendar.
“I want to ask you: does it show any sign that, that leadership is working with this government? I hope you have a copy of it? Does it show that your chairman is working with this government?
“So, I have decided today, we have to move forward. By the special grace of God, the administrative life-span of the chairman is one year, which is renewable. So, at this particular time, I have to say that with the power vested on me, I announce that the tenure of Chief Sergeant Awuse has been terminated.”
Fubara said at such critical time of his administration, when peace was cardinal with traditional rulers, who were closer to the people not properly coordinated, it would be difficult to achieve the required harmony and coexistence among the people.
He pointed out that there was need to have a more competent and diligent traditional ruler with the presence of mind, and ability to carry everybody along, stressing that Wodo most appropriately fits into that cap, with a fatherly personality, mature character, integrity and pedigree.
“So, going forward, there is need to have a leadership that will accommodate everybody and move this council forward.
“Let me, before saying other things, announce here that the new chairman from this particular moment will be Eze Chike Worlu Wodo, Eze Ohna Apara, Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom. He will be the chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, and I believe strongly that he is going to do better and accommodate everyone.”
“Traditional Rulers are the closest to our locals. If you want peace in the community, we must work with the traditional rulers. And our government is a government that pays serious priority to peace. So, I want everyone of you to ensure that we maintain peace in our localities.
“Let me request from our new chairman that: please, as we leave here, there is every need for you to call for meeting immediately and commence the process of uniting the council.”
The governor said unlike Wike that used to insult royal fathers even in public places, he would give them their due respect because they were fathers.
Hear him: “I am not bothered or interested in your political affiliations, but when it comes to issues of the council, that should bring you together, your decision should and must flow in the direction of government.
“If you are doing anything outside, that is your own, but you cannot, I repeat that when it comes to the issues of the council, government has given you recognition to belong, you cannot go against the government, it’s very wrong.
“You can be in whatever it is, but when it comes to our own interest as a State and Government, you must work with our interest. I remember when we went to Ahoada-East, in Ekpeye land to perform an activity, a former Governor openly threatened one of you, and warned that if you try it, I will do this, I will do that.
“But I am not going to warn any of you because you are our fathers. I will appeal to you to please give us all the necessary support and cooperation so that we can have a united State that everyone of us will be proud of.
“Let me appeal to everyone of us, today is an opportunity that God has provided to Eze Chike Worlu Wodo. Tomorrow, it can be any other person’s. You need to give him the respect. You need to give him the support to succeed; so that when it comes to your turn, that same measure will be given to you.”
