Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has urged traditional rulers to desist from using their positions to victimise their opponents.
Fubara urged the monarchs to consider themselves fathers and kings to all without prejudice.
He stated this while presenting certificates of recognition and staff of office to two first-class traditional rulers in Ikwerre and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas of the state in Government House, Port Harcourt on Tuesday evening.
The first-class traditional rulers are His Majesty, King Marcus Oduma Woyike, Nye Nwe-Ali Elele, Okinali/Elele-Alimini in Ikwerre Local Government Area, and His Majesty, King Ndamzi Nsirim, Nye Nwe-Eli Rumueme Kingdom in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
The governor urged the royal fathers to work with all sections of their subjects in their domains with fatherly hearts in order to promote peaceful coexistence, harmony and enduring development.
He advised them to discard feelings of animosity and resist the inclination to undo anybody for whatever reason in their domains but rather courageously carry everybody along with a heart of forgiveness.
Fubara also challenged the monarchs to partner with the State Government to ensure peace and accelerated development in the State and their communities.
The Governor said, “What we are doing here is just a fulfilment of what is already existing. The stool of Nye Nwe-Ali Elele has already been gazetted and existing and the process for selection is already done. What we just did here is official government recognition”.
Speaking further, he said, “On that of His Majesty, King Ndamzi Nsirim, fortunately, the stool that you are occupying was also recognized and gazetted by the previous administration. What we are also doing here is that after the process of selection of the new head (king), it is the duty of government to officially give you a letter of recognition and staff of office.
“So, what we are doing is not a new thing or creating a new stool, but recognizing what already exists. (We are only) bringing you into the Council of Traditional Rulers recognized by the government.”
He appealed to the monarchs to be fair and just to all and ensure that they always relate with their subjects so that they can appreciate the people’s needs better and work with the Government to address them.
Advising them that the positions they occupy should be used to do good and serve the people selflessly, Fubara emphasized that, “It is an opportunity that God has created for you. It is not for you to use it to undo your people.
“In the process of this selection, you might have had one issue or the other. People might have been against you, but in the end, what is important is that you are there now.
“Carry everybody along. Have a heart of forgiveness. As a traditional ruler, everybody belongs to you. So, work with them.
“Let me wish you a successful reign. Let your reign be remembered for good. Let your reign be a testimony that at this particular time that you ascended this throne, it is for a purpose. Rule well, and God will be with you.”
