That Riot Act To Monarchs

In a bid to effectively stamp out criminality, particularly, community-based cult clashes and insecurity in Rivers State,  Governor Nyesom Wike, a few days ago, warned traditional rulers in the state against sponsorship of criminal gangs and groups that may fuel crisis in their domains.
The governor’s warning came on the heels of allegations that some traditional rulers and chiefs in the State sponsor and protect criminal gangs to secure their stools.
Frowning at such development, Governor Wike, at the 106th quarterly meeting of the State’s Council of Traditional Rulers in Government House, Port Harcourt, penultimate week, urged the royal fathers to concentrate on their sacred duty of ensuring peace and harmony in their respective domains.
Former Special Adviser to the governor on Conflict Resolution, Chief Okori Abelekum had,  during a peace meeting in Port Harcourt with some chiefs of Tombia Community in Degema Local Government Area (DELGA), handed down similar warning, saying that the state government would not hesitate to deal decisively with any chief or opinion leader found arming groups to cause mayhem in their areas.
The Tide cannot agree less with the position of the state government in its efforts to end criminality and communal strife in the communities.
These warnings particularly became necessary following allegation, during the meeting, that some chiefs were buying arms for youths to help them emerge as Amanyanabo of Tombia
In fact, the warnings and allegations are serious indictments on the chiefs and traditional rulers considering the recent high rate of cult-related activities in the state.
Regrettably, most communities and local government areas in the state have been experiencing one security challenge or another, owing to cult-related activities, chieftaincy squabbles and other criminalities.
Apart from Tombia, some parts of Etche, Emohua, Ogoni, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Ahoada East and West, Ikwerre LGAs have had ugly tales to tell in recent times.
It is ironic and worrisome that at a time the state government is pulling all stops to quell violence and all forms of disturbances in Rivers communities, royal fathers and chiefs could be remotely linked with sponsoring such malevolent acts. This is tantamount to sabotage of unimaginable proportion, particularly, as government spares no effort in attempt to mop up loose arms in the state.
We believe that monarchs and their lieutenants have natural mandates to ensure peace, harmony, development and progress in their respective domains. To act otherwise strips them of the aura of royalty, respect and  high esteem that go with their positions and offices.
Traditional rulers and chiefs must be seen to be far from insidious practices. In fact, they are expected to be chief security officers in their respective domains. They should also be relied upon for necessary information to tackle and rout undesirable elements and activities not only in their immediate domains, but in the entire state.
We, therefore, call on the Rivers State Government not to spare any monarch, chief or traditional institution found culpable of sponsoring cultism or other criminal activities. In fact, government should begin to take immediate necessary measures against any monarch or leader found culpable, perhaps, by withdrawing their certificates of recognition as well as prosecute them under the extant laws of the land  to serve as a deterrent to others.
Indeed, we need peace to grow the Rivers economy through investments in the state. And since no economy can thrive in an atmosphere of violence and vices, it will be unwise for the government to watch and allow its communities to be devastated by persons or institutions that should rather be partners in progress.
It is time for the royal fathers to begin to blow the whistle on threats to security by criminal elements in their domains, and not to take advantage of the situation to protect and further their personal interests.
We, therefore, urge the monarchs to complement the state government’s efforts in the area of security, by providing security agencies necessary intelligence and information that could expose criminals and their sponsors.