In a bid to consolidate his political stronghold at the grassroots and dismantle all forms of oppositions, Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has removed Chidi Awuse from his position as Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers.
Awuse, an ally of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has been replaced by Eze Chike Worlu Wodo, the traditional ruler of Apara Kingdom, Daily Trust reported.
Fubara cited inactivity and lack of effective leadership as reasons for Awuse’s removal.
The announcement was made during a special meeting with the Council of Traditional Rulers at the Banquet Hall of Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday.
Eze Chike Worlu Wodo, the new chairman, serves as the Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
Interestingly, the monarch is from the same local government with Fubara’s political adversary and predecessor, Nyesom Wike, MUK TV observes.
Fubara expressed his dissatisfaction with the council’s performance under Awuse, particularly highlighting an incident where the council produced a 2024 calendar that excluded the photographs of the Governor and the Deputy Governor.
“I want the council to live up to its responsibility. From my observation, the council is moribund. So, I can feel that the council, for a while now, has been very inactive. Inactive because, maybe, the chairman has decided not to be responsible as a chairman. I think that is the best way to describe it,” Fubara stated.
The Governor underscored the importance of having a competent and diligent leader who can foster harmony and coexistence among the people, emphasizing that Eze Chike Worlu Wodo is the right person for the role due to his integrity and fatherly personality.
“Let me, before saying other things, announce here that the new chairman from this particular moment will be Eze Chike Worlu Wodo, Eze Ohna Apara, Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom. He will be the chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, and I believe strongly that he is going to do better and accommodate everyone,” Fubara declared.
