Rivers State Governor, Siminialayi Fubara, has replaced the Chairman of the State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, High Royal Majesty, Eze Sergeant Awuse.
News About Nigeria reports that the governor appointed Eze Ohna Apara, His Royal Majesty, Eze Chike Worlu Wodo, as the new chairman of the council.
The announcement was made during a special meeting of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt, on Friday.
The move is believed to be connected to the ongoing political tensions between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Chief Nyesom Wike.
Just before leaving office, Wike had replaced the then Chairman of the Council, His Royal Majesty, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja, the Amanyanabo of Opobo, with Chief Sergeant Awuse.
However, the State House of Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, passed a law barring the governor from interfering with the leadership of the traditional council.
Governor Fubara justified the replacement, stating that Awuse had been inactive on the council for a while and had been playing a double role in the political crisis in the state.
Fubara described Awuse as an unstable character who had been saying different things at different times.
The governor expressed hope that the crisis would be resolved soon.
Fubara said he would address the issues of making available official vehicles to the traditional rulers and other allowances due to them soonest.
The governor also urged the new chairman to commence the process of updating the records of all first-class, second-class, and third-class traditional rulers in the state, and make them available to his office next Tuesday.
In his acceptance speech, the new Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Chike Worlu Wodo, the Eze Ohna Apara, Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom, said he was overwhelmed with joy for the opportunity to serve the state in such a capacity.
Eze Wodo pledged that he would foster unity, devote his time and energy to the assignment given to him, and work in synergy with every member of the council to ensure that there was peace within their various domains.
