Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State accepted the traditional title of Se Taribo 1st of Okochiri kingdom that means a man who has love for his people, from a former top militant leader, Ateke Tom, who is currently the Amayanabo of the ancient Okochiri kingdom to underscore the importance of peace in the big oil and gas state.
During the 2000s, Rivers saw a rise in the number of cult killings committed within the state. In 2019, the disturbed Governor Wike declared Rivers a Christian state because it is made up of 90 % Christians and 10% orthodox with few practising Islam unconventionally.
Since his re-election in 2019 after a bloody power battle with an obviously compromised security forces on the side of All Progressives Congress, Wike has been drumming on the plural ethnic groups of Rivers to promote peaceful co-existence as according to him, they need one another for the development of the state.
For him, though politicians can belong to different political parties, every Rivers son or daughter ‘’must work towards developing Rivers State. All of us cannot be in one political party, but in belonging to different political parties, let us protect the interest of our people.
“Let us as traditional rulers and leaders work for peace in our respective communities. It is in an atmosphere of peace that development can take place’’, warning that no ethnic nationality in Rivers can emerge as governor without the support of others.
“We must all work together with other ethnic groups. There is no ethnic group that produces a governor without the support of other ethnic nationalities. You need the support of everyone to advance any political interest in the state’’, he has always insisted.
On the dreaded ex-warlord, Governor Wike pointed out that the recognition of Ateke Michael Tom, as the Amayanabo of ancient Okochiri kingdom by the Rivers State Government, has brought peace, stability and security to Okochiri and entire Okrika Local Government Area of the state.
While acknowledging that without the support of traditional rulers, it will be difficult for any government at whatever level to achieve peace, Wike who was speaking after he was conferred with the traditional title said, ‘’governance without peace, governance without security is no governance. Governance is predicated on protection of life and property.”
According to Wike who was speaking in Okochiri at the weekend, ‘’the recognition of Ateke Tom by government as the Amayanabo of Okochiri has brought peace in this domain, and the people are happy with his leadership.
‘’And that is why today you can see that there is peace that reigns within the environment of Okochiri, and to greater extent, the entire Okrika Local Government’’, noting that when a person is saddled with the responsibility of presiding over the affairs of the people, once his administration is predicated on justice, fairness and equity, it will yield peace and happiness for those governed.
Continuing, the governor said, “it is one thing to be a traditional ruler it is another thing to live up to expectation of a traditional ruler. You have kept your kingdom as one, you have kept your kingdom in peace, you have kept your kingdom united, and that is what is expected of a traditional ruler.
“You’re not just a traditional ruler to confer chieftaincy titles on us you’re also a traditional ruler to help government to maintain peace in your domain because, without the traditional rulers, it will be difficult for any government at whatever level to achieve anything.”
He also noted that the massive turn out of people from all walks of life to grace the fourth anniversary of the coronation of King Ateke Tom as the Okochiri monarch and dedication of his new palace, is a demonstration of their appreciation of his leadership.
“Ateke Tom has brought peace. Don’t see him as Ateke Tom that fought for the Niger Delta, see him as Ateke Tom, the traditional ruler, the Amayanabo of Okochiri kingdom, whose traditional duty is to make sure peace reigns in his domain”, Wike said.
The governor commended the monarch for being supportive of his administration, and accordingly promised to complete all ongoing infrastructural projects his administration started in Okochiri and the entire Okrika council.
While urging the people of Okrika and the rest of the country to rally round, and collectively ensure that the All Progressives Congress is ousted from power in 2023, Wike added, “it’s only God that is holding us today. Things are very difficult day by day. The government at the national level has failed us, and therefore, it’s time for Nigerians to rally round to make sure we have a government that will take care of our people.”