By Pascal Ibe
A Facebook user known as Ufuoma Bernard claimed that the governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara removed Sergeant Awuse as head of Traditional Rulers Council for not putting his picture in an annual almanac.
Users who believed this claim, queried if this is an enough reason for the governor’s action.
Others asked why the governor is fighting everyone in the State. Noting that this is not a good leadership style.
Background To Recent Rivers Crisis
Last week, the crisis in Rivers State worsened over the tenure of 23 local government chairmen as protesting youths loyal to the state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, dislodged no fewer than three chairmen who refused to vacate their offices.
A policeman was killed at Eberi-Omuma in the Omuma Local Government Council secretariat during a clash between supporters of Fubara and his predecessor, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
To prevent a breakdown of law and order, the police on Tuesday evening announced the takeover of the 23 council secretariats.
The three-year tenure of the 23 chairmen expired on Monday but they had vowed to remain in office, citing the Local Government Amendment Law 2024 made by the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly.
Findings
When thefactwatch checked the reason for the removal of the chairman, council of traditional rulers in Rivers State by governor, Channels TV reported that Fubara said the appointment of a new Chairman is due to the “inactivity and the absence of effective leadership of the council under Eze Ohna Sergeant Chidi Awuse”.
The Governor accused Awuse of failing to steer the council’s affairs right and being unable to promote cordial relationships among members and with the state government.
Governor Fubara pointed out that under Eze Sergeat Awuse, the council produced a calendar for the year 2024, and insulted the State Government by deliberately refusing to include the photographs of the Governor and the Deputy Governor.
The governor appointed the King of Apara Kingdom in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Eze Chike Worlu Wodo, to chair the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers.
Recall that Awuse, a prominent politician, became a traditional ruler in his Emohua Kingdom in Emohhua Local Government Area two years ago.
Despite being new to the revered Council of Traditional Rulers, the former Governor, Nyesom Wike, during a banquet to mark the end of his tenure, announced Awuse, his long-time ally, as the council’s Chairman.
Awuse marked his first year as a Traditional Ruler in June last year while serving as the Chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers, a role he took over from the King of Opobo where Governor Fubara hails from.
ASLO, a video posted by an independent media, “Symfoni” on YouTube on June 21, confirmed that this claim is true.
Watch video below 👇
Verdict
The claim that the governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara removed Sergeant Awuse as head of Traditional Rulers Council for not putting his picture in an annual almanac is TRUE.
According to governor Fubara, one of reasons for the traditional ruler’s removal is that under Eze Sergeat Awuse, the council produced a calendar for the year 2024, and insulted the State Government by deliberately refusing to include the photographs of the Governor and the Deputy Governor.
Please note that thefactwatch is a verification platform owned by CrimeFacts news
