From TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt
People of Rumueme Kingdom in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State have expressed disappointment at the recognition of Mr. Ndamzi Nsirim, as Nyenweli and Paramount Ruler of the area by the Governor Siminalayi Fubara-led government.
The people represented by the Rumueme Council of Chiefs, Elders and Owhor Holders, have threatened to drag the state government to court if the recognition is not withdrawn.
They dissociated themselves from the action of the governor, which they saw as a desecration of their traditional institution capable of causing avoidable crisis in Rumueme Kingdom.
Chairman of the Council, Chief Ikegwuru Ihunwo, who addressed journalists in Port Harcourt, yesterday, alongside other members of the council, stressed that Ndamzi was never coronated in any capacity by the Kingdom, which the state government was aware of.
Chief Ihunwo declared: “The Rumueme Council of Chiefs, Elders and Owhor Holders strongly dissociate themselves and reject in totality the advertised but wrong recognition of Ndamzi Nsirim as Nyenweli and Paramount ruler of Rumueme kingdom by His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara GSSRS our dear Governor of Rivers State.
“That Ndamzi Nsirim in whatever capacity as wrongly presented to His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara GSSRS, the Executive Governor of Rivers State, has never, was never coronated in any capacity to be the Paramount ruler of Rumueme kingdom in keeping with the judicial decisions up to the Supreme Court which rightly vests the traditional Authority of Rumueme kingdom in the Rumueme Council of Chiefs, Elders and Owhor Holders.
“The Rivers State government is aware of these judgements that clearly nullifies and voids any capacity of Ndamzi Nsirim to be the Paramount ruler of Rumueme kingdom under any title or guise.
“That Ndamzi Nsirim and those who smuggled him into the Rivers State government House for the purported issuance of Certificate of recognition and Staff of Office are unknown to Rumueme people as they lack the mandate or authority of Rumueme kingdom to so do, hence they are imposters.
“While we urge His Excellency Governor Siminalayi Fubara GSSRS to withdraw this illegal recognition, His Excellency should not allow these over-ambitious characters to cajole him and portray him as a bias governor who is mis-exercising his lawful powers.”
The council emphasized that the decisions of courts from lower to apex, on the Rumueme chieftaincy tradition must be respected.
Ihunwo continued: “The chieftaincy tradition of Rumueme kingdom and the judgements on High Court Suit No:- PHC/293/92; Appeal Court Suit No:- CA/PH/25/99 and Supreme Court of Nigeria Suit No:-SC/460/2010 must be complied with in this case.
“We are happy with the creation of First Class Stool in Rumueme Kingdom by the outgone administration. But, Rumueme Council of Chiefs, Elders and Owhor Holders whom traditional authority is vested on, frown at the impunity of the Rivers State Government selecting an occupant to the Stool. It is on record that the decision of the State government is been challenged in the court awaiting the interpretation of the Court.
“That the action of the governor undoubtedly was ill-advised albeit misleading. Thus, we urge His Excellency, our own dear Governor, a peace-loving man, who is a beneficiary of the judiciary, in keeping with his avowed commitment to the rule of law, to do the due diligence and correct this travesty as it may amount to a contempt of court and subjudicial.
“Hence, His Excellency, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, should as a statesman, rise to do the right thing by reversing this false recognition of Nnamdi Nsirim because it is a stolen title that he is now brandishing, that you cannot build something on nothing and expect it to stand.
“We demand that His Excellency Governor Siminalayi Fubara should not allow desperate people to mislead him into desecration of the traditional institution of Rumueme kingdom and plunge the kingdom into imminent avoidable crisis because this kingdom has come a long way and cannot afford this treacherous path that caused us incalculable losses in the past.
“Your Excellency, is it not curious that no traditionally authorized chief from the three clans in Rumueme kingdom such as Ebara, Anwanwor or Agbolu, attended the media advertised recognition in Government House of Port Harcourt?
“The Rumueme Council of Chiefs, Elders and Owhor Holders and the entire people of Rumueme kingdom shall not accept this injustice as it does not represent our collective interest.
“And we shall lawfully challenge same while we look forward to the favourable yet necessary consideration of correcting this fundamental mistake by His Excellency Governor Siminalayi Fubara GSSRS in the interest of peace, unity and development in Rumueme kingdom and Rivers State in general.”
