The call for a state of emergency in Rivers State has received the most vehement put down so far, this time by traditional rulers in the State, who rose from a meeting in Port Harcourt with a stern call on Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu to ignore such misguide calls.

The royal fathers rose from an Extraordinary Meeting of the Forum of Chairmen of Local Government Area Councils of Traditional Rulers, acting on behalf of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers to issue the vehement condemnation.

Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Majesty, Eze Chike Amadi Worlu-Wodo, DSSRS, who is also the Eze Oha Apara IV of Apara Kingdom, read out the communique to the Press on Monday, June 1, 2024 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.  

He was accompanied by two of his predecessors, the Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of Bonny Kingdom, His Majesty, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, CON, DSSRS, JP, Perekule XI, and the Amanyanabo and Treaty King of Opobo Kingdom, His Majesty, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja, DSSRS, Jeki V, alongside other members of the Council.

The statement is reproduced below:

“COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE EXTRAORDINARY MEETING OF THE FORUM OF CHAIRMEN OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA COUNCILS OF TRADITIONAL RULERS HELD AT THE SECRETARIAT OF THE COUNCIL TODAY 1ST JULY, 2024

Gentlemen of the Press

At the end of the Extraordinary Meeting of the Forum of Chairmen of Local Government Area Councils of Traditional Rulers, acting on behalf of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers: We State as follows:

1 Congratulates His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, the Governor of Rivers State on his electoral victory at the Supreme Court as well as his successful one year in office.

2 Thanks the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for appointing another traditional ruler of repute from the Ikwerre ethnic nationality as Chairman of Council.

3 Congratulates His Majesty, Eze Chike Amadi Worlu-Wodo DSSRS, Eze Oha Apara IV on his appointment by the Governor of Rivers State, as Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers.

4 Thanks the immediate Past Chairman of Council, His Majesty, Sir Ohna Sergeant Chidi Awuse, DSSRS, Nne Nwe-Eli Emohua XIII, Olo IV, for his services to the Council and wished him well in his future endeavours.

5. Condemns in strong terms, the instigation of violence in our different communities and kingdoms by some overzealous politicians, as a way of preparing the ground for anarchy, bloodbath and complete breakdown of law and order as a precursor to the call for state of Emergency.

6. Condemns in its entirety the call by these disgruntled individuals and groups for the declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State. Council also noted that Rivers State is one of the most peaceful States in Nigeria, and wondered why anybody would call for a declaration of State of Emergency in a place like Rivers State where there has not been any breakdown of law and order or serious threat to the peaceful habitation of residents.

7. States that those calling for the declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State are parochial, selfish, unpatriotic and do not have the mandate and support of Royal Fathers who are owners of the State.

8. Calls on all investors in Rivers State to continue to sustain their businesses without fear as there is nothing on ground that threatens the security of their investments in Rivers State. Council futher invites potential investors to come and invest in Rivers State because the State is peaceful and has everything that can grow a business.

9. Request the Inspector General of Police to advise his officers and men in Rivers State to deal with the current politically instigated crisis in Rivers State with utmost professionalism and impartiality as there are cries from some quarters that the Nigeria Police in Rivers State is taking sides in its dealing with the issues arising from the current situation in Rivers State.

10. Calls on the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, to remain steadfast in his delivery of good governance to the people of Rivers State, and not be detracted by calculated attempts from certain individuals and groups to derail his vision for the State.

11. Finally, Council calls on His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President, Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to ignore the call for a declaration of State of Emergency in Rivers State as such a call cannot be justified in a state that is peaceful and has continued to host several international seminars, symposia and workshops with a record of peaceful nightlife.

Signed:

1. Abua/Odual – HRM King Kaleh O. M Obuge

2. Ahoada-East – HM Eze Cassidy Ikegbidi

3. Ahoada-West –  HRM Moore M. Unio

4. Akuku-Toru – HM King Disreal Bob-Manuel

5. Andoni – HM. King Dr. Aaron M. Ikuru

6. Asari-Toru – HRH Iboroma Talbot Pokubo

7. Bonny – King Edward A.W.D Pepple

8. Degema – HRH Lawrence Odum Barboy

9. Eleme – HM King Dr. Philip Osaro Obele

10. Etche – HRM Opurum O.

11. Gokana – HRH King B. P Bagha

12. Ikwerre –  HRM King Blessing Wagor

13. Khana –  King Suanu Baridam

14. Obio/Akpor – HRH King Chike Worlu-Wodo

15. ONELGA – Eze Ginikanwa E.

16. Ogu-Bolo -HRH Acheseinimie M. Frank JP

17. Okrika – HRM E. T. Ibiagolika

18. Omuma – HRM King Barr. Onyekachi Amaonwu

19. Opobo/Nkoro – King Dandeson Douglas Jaja

20. OYIGBO – HRH Eze Sir Nwankwo Nwankwo

21. PHALGA – Eze Isaiah Elikwu JP

22. Tai – HRM Samuel Nne