We only advise govt, we don’t dabble into policies —Rivers monarch

By Olawale Sanusi

THE Nye-Udu Upata of Upata Kingdom in Ahoada East Local Government Area Rivers State, His Majesty Felix Otuwarikpo, has moved to clarify the role of traditional institutions in the polity, asserting that no monarch in Rivers holds a membership card of any political party.

The monarch addressed what he termed a serious misconception regarding the engagement of royal fathers with government functioning.

He maintained that while traditional rulers engage with the government, they do so strictly as advisers and not as partisan players.

“There is a serious misconception about traditional rulers’ involvement in politics. No traditional ruler is involved in partisan politics. I am not aware of any traditional ruler that is a card-carrying member of any political party,” the monarch stated.

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He anchored his position on the extant Chieftaincy Law of Rivers State (No.4 of 2015), which outlines the advisory functions of traditional rulers concerning customs and traditions.

According to him, the law does not restrict them from meeting with political office holders to advocate for development.

“The chieftaincy law of Rivers State is very specific on the functions and duties of traditional rulers. The angle people tend to misunderstand has to do with the fact that you see traditional rulers close to the government. We do not dabble into policies of the government; we can only suggest to the government.

“Most traditional rulers have made their marks in different spheres of life; we have doctors, lawyers, administrators, retired military generals, and top businessmen in the council and it is not out of place to suggest to the government,” he said.

The assertion by the monarch brings to the fore a recent directive from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, regarding the place of royal fathers in the political arena.

Wike, during a recent visit to the palace of a prominent Niger Delta leader, the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Tom, had advised the monarch to steer clear of partisan politics as the 2027 general election approach.

The minister, who has been on a ‘thank you’ tour across local government areas of the state, urged traditional rulers to remain neutral to protect the integrity of their stools.

“It is not going to be business as usual. Allow us to play our game, and if there is any problem, call us to settle,” Wike had told King Ateke Tom.