Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on Friday, reinstated the traditional ruler of Emohua Kingdom, Ohna Sergeant Awuse as the chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council.
Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Dagogo Wokoma, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Friday, said the appointment was with immediate effect
The statement reads in part: ”His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, the Governor of Rivers State, has approved the appointment of His Majesty, Eze (Sir) Sergeant Chidi Awuse, DSSRS, JP, Nne-Nwe-Eli, Emohua, XIII (Olo IV), as the Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers.
”The appointment takes immediate effect.”
The reinstatement of Awuse, may not be unconnected with the reconciliatory moves between Fubara and the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike.
The governor had, in late 2024, announced the removal of the Emohua traditional, who is also Wike’s political ally, due to long absence from office, following health issues.
The removal of Awuse was announced during a meeting between Fubara and prominent traditional rulers in the state at Government House, Port Harcourt.
The governor had immediately also announced the paramount ruler of Apara Kingdom in Obio/Akpor local government area of the state, Eze Chike Worlu Wodon as the new Chairman of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers.
Fubara stated that under the former Chairman, the council produced a calendar for the year 2024, and insulted the state government by deliberately refusing to include his photographs and that of his deputy.
Such posture, Fubara noted, among others, clearly demonstrated that the council under that kind of leadership had not, and would never live up to expectations.
The governor 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.”
Governor Fubara said, at such critical time of his administration when peace is cardinal with traditional rulers who are closer to the people is not properly coordinated, it will be difficult to achieve the required harmony and coexistence among the people.
The governor pointed out that there was the need to have a more competent and diligent traditional ruler with the presence of mind, and ability to carry everybody along, stressing that Eze Chike Worlu Wodo most appropriately fits into that cap with a fatherly personality, mature character, integrity and pedigree.
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