Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike extends his rascality to his Rumuepirikom Community, thereby causing a feud between him and the traditional ruler
By Chinedu Oguh, Port Harcourt
The on-going battle over the stool of the Paramount Ruler and Nyewe-Eli of Rumuepirikom Kingdom, the hometown of the immediate past governor of Rivers State, and now minister of the Federal Capital territory (FCT) Chief (Barr) Nyesom Wike is getting hotter and hotter.
Tentacle gathered that the embattled monarch HRH Eze Anthony Owabie a government recognized monarch second-class traditional ruler and a member of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers ascended the throne of his forefathers after his father’s death, during the latter part of the second-term administration of the then governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi between 2007 and 2014.
During the period, Chief Nyesom Wike was Minister of State for Education under the administration of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and was working to build his new political base, the Grassroots Development Initiative GDI in Rivers State.
At about the same time, as Amaechi’s tenure in government was winding down, he was deeply involved in efforts to ensure the emergence of Dr Dakuku Peterside as his successor on the platform of the All-Progressive Congress, APC.
Tentacle further gathered that Eze Anthony Owabie feud with Wilke began when they governor Amaechi was scheduled to attend one of the political engagements organised for Peterside at the Rumuepirikom community Town Hall.
According to sources, protocol arrangements provided that the governor would pay a courtesy visit to the Paramount ruler of the area, who had already agreed to receive Amaechi.
On the appointed date, the governor and his entourage, including his deputy, Tele Ikuru, were received at the Palace of the monarch. During the visit, Eze Anthony Owabie reportedly praised the governor and pledged to cooperate with him for the progress of the state.
Tentacle was told by sources familiar with the visit that when Wike, then Minister of State for Education, learnt of the courtesy call on the Paramount ruler, he became angry and viewed the development as a political slight.
According to the sources, Wike felt disregarded and disrespected as the highestranking political office holder from Obio-Akpor local Government Area, He reportedly questioned why the paramount ruler had received Amaechi without recourse to him at a time when he was also preparing to contest for the Rivers governorship on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The development was said to have been viewed by Wike as an affront to his political standing, with sources alleging that he vowed to address the matter at its appropriate time.
That opportunity came after Wike was elected and sworn in as governor of Rivers State on May 29, 2015.
He took his pound of flesh, he suspended the monarch and withdrew its official recognition and paraphernalias attached to his office.
In his place, king Barry Amaewhule Opara Owabie emerged as acting Nyewe – Eli. Although he were said to be from the extended royal family, supporters of Eze Anthony Owabie have continued to dispute his customary right to inherit the stool.
As part of the changes introduced to belittle his stool, the classification of Nyewe-eli stool was changed from second to third class the development further deepened the disagreement between the rival camps within the community.
Wike later personally handed over the certificate of recognition and staff of office to King Barry Amaewhule Opara Owabie following his installation by a section of community chiefs and elders.
The action according to sources divided the kingdom along the chieftainy lines of Eze Anthony Owabie and King Barry Opara Owabie. The dispute subsequently became one of the most divisive traditional issues in Rumueprikum.
Following the raging political controversy between Wike and his successor, Governor Siminilayi Fubara, the Rivers State Government later withdrew recognition from King Barry and announced the recognitions of Eze Anthony Owabie as the permanent ruler of Rumuepirikom.
The then commissioner for local Governments and Chaffainy Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, presented the Certificate of recognition to Eze Anthony Owabie, along with other paraphernalia of office.
Governor Fubara also presented the staff of office, signifying Government recognition to Eze Anthony Owabie at Government House, Port Harcourt. The decision came at the height of the political confrontation between Fubara and Wike.
As the political crisis between Fubara and Wike, his predecessor later ceased, another reversal followed, Eze Anthony Owabie was again derecognised and dethroned, while Barry Opara Owabie who was earlier dethroned, returned as the government recognized Paramount Ruler and Nyewe-Eli of Rumuepirikom kingdom.
The state Government subsequently announced the withdrawal of the certificate of recognition and staff of office earlier given to Eze Anthony Antony Owabie, saying the instruments had been issued in error.
Some youths and community leaders who opposed the development argued that the action was inconsistent with their customs and traditions.
The last has not clearly not be heard of the controversy surrounding the stool of the Nyewe-eli of Rumuepirikom, particularly with its issue of the “Ofor” regarded by section of the community as the traditional symbol of authority, now at the centre of the dispute over custom right and legitimacy
The continuing disagreements has consequently left Rumuepirikom confronting two competing questions; who enjoys Government recognition and who under the community tradition customs possess the legitimate authority attached to the ancient stool.
