Ijaw elders tackle Wike over alleged threat to sack Kalabari monarch

The Ijaw Elders Forum (IEF), Lagos State chapter, on Monday, condemned the alleged threat issued by the River State governor, Mr Nyesome Wike, to remove the Amayanabo of Kalabari, King Theophilus J.T Princewill, over the visit of Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson, to the monarch.

IEF, in collaboration with other concerned groups, including Ijaw Professionals as well as the Ijaw Nation Forum, gave the condemnation in a release signed by Chief Atamuno Atamuno for IEF, retired Major General Paul Alaowei Toun (IPA) and Engr Ben Amaebi Okoro (INF).

The group described Wike’s action as divisive, saying “it is capable of causing unnecessary tension in Rivers State.”

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This was just as the elders, while expressing deep concern, demanded an unreserved apology from Governor Wike to the monarch and “the good people of the Ijaw nation,” for what they described as wanton disrespect of the respected traditional institution by a person of his status, adding that this was needed “to correct this wrong done to our people.”

According to IEF, it is rather unbecoming of a person holding a position of trust such as the office of a state governor to talk in such disdainful manner to anyone, least of all one who occupies a revered traditional institution of Amayanabo of Kalabari.

“Ijaw Elders Forum Lagos, Ijaw Professionals as well as the Ijaw Nation Forum condemns in very strong terms this wanton disrespect of the respected traditional institution by a person of the status of Governor of Rivers State.

“It is rather unbecoming of a person holding a position of trust such as the office of governor to talk in such disdainful manner to anyone, least of all one who occupies a revered traditional institution,” the group said.