Rivers crisis: Group slams monarch for banning Gov’s associates from palace
From Chris Eze, Port Harcourt
Supporters of Rivers Governor under the umbrella of Simplified Movement in Emohua Local Government Area, Rivers State has berated the Paramount Ruler of the area, His Majesty, Ohna Sergeant Awuse for declaring his palace a no- go area for associates and supporters of Governor Fubara.
The monarch in a viral video had declared that all those who are not behind the FCT minister in the face off between him and Governor Fubara should not come to his palace
In a statement issued by the leader of the group in the area, Hon Prince Charles E. O. Beke on Wednesday, the group said it received with ” rude shock the video making rounds on social media wherein the Paramount ruler of Emohua kingdom, His Majesty Sir Ohna Sergeant Awuse, DSSRS, was heard declaring his palace out of bounds to anyone not working for the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, in Emohua”
While describing the statement as unfortunate and a clear recipe for disaster, the group stated that all over the world, the traditional institution acts as the centripetal force which unites and brings the people together despite their perceived differences.
“The institution is both nonpolitical and nonpartisan. The palace of the Paramount ruler is the home of all his subjects. Thus, the declaration of non supporters of Wike in Emohua as persona non grata to his palace is a bad development. Our heroes past, like Eze Francis Osimini Beke, Eze E.J.A Oriji, Chief Gilbert Eke and others, would turn in their graves at this development. This was not what they handed to us”, the group maintenaned.
The group said while Awuse is at liberty to dabble into partisan politics even as paramount Ruler, he cannot dictate to the people where their own loyalty should be.
The further stated, ” members of the SIMplified Movement in Emohua will neither be intimidated nor blackmailed into abandoning the righteous cause of supporting the Governor that all of us took pains to vote for just a year ago.
“That the SIMplified Movement in Emohua under the Leadership of Hon. Prince Charles E.O Beke JP will continue to galvanize support for the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara GSSRS in Emohua without apologies to anyone, group or institution.
“That we are able to distinguish between our political loyalty and our obligations to the traditional stool of Emohua. We will never merge both nor allow anyone to use that stool to dictate our political conduct.
“We assure His Majesty that the presence of members of the SIMplified Movement in Emohua will never be seen in his palace if abandoning our support for His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara is the price required”
The group vowed to remain unshaken in their support for the Governor of Rivers State and to the political direction of Hon. Prince Charles E.O Beke,JP.
It would be recalled that Governor Fubara recently dethroned Sergeant Awuse as the chairman of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and appointed in his stead, the Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom, Eze Chike Worlu Wodo.
Governor Fubara had accused Awuse of disloyalty and not being purposeful in steering the affairs of the royal institution in the state.
Awuse was appointed chairman of the traditional rulers council by the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike towards the end of his reign as governor Rivers State.
The declaration of support ers of Gov Fubara as persona non grata by Chief Awuse is seen by observers as the extension of the rivalry between the FCT ministrr and Gov. Fubara.
