Don’t Sponsor Criminals, Wike Tells Monarchs

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has enjoined traditional rulers to shun sponsorship of criminal gangs and groups that will fuel crisis in their domains.
Addressing the State Council of Traditional Rulers during its 106th Quarterly meeting in Government House, last Monday, in Port Harcourt, Wike stressed the need for the royal fathers to concentrate on the sacred duty of ensuring peace in their domains than playing politics.
He frowned at a situation where traditional rulers and chiefs in the various domains sponsor and protect gangs in order to secure their stools.
“We must focus on our duties to ensure that governance at the state and local levels are peaceful,” Wike emphasised.
While it is government’s responsibility to recognise traditional rulers, Wike observed that the community has to select and present to government who it wants, stressing that, “we must work as a team to move the state forward”.
Against this backdrop, he cautioned communities to ensure that the right people are selected based on merit, character and contribution to society.
Wike maintained that traditional rulership and chieftaincy stools must not be based on wealth and material possessions, warning that “such people will cause problem in your communities; so don’t be carried away by wealth.”
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers, Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja lauded the governor for the various development projects and the recent rehabilitation of schools across the state.
Jaja said, “traditional rulers are impressed with your managerial style of governance as it has opened new vista to reach out to the people.”
He, however, pleaded with the government to beef up enlightenment and education of women on health issues and youth on the use of drugs, as he lamented the high use of mind-altering substances at the local level by young people.
Jaja also called on sons and daughters of the state in different political parties to join hands with the Wike administration to move the state forward.