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  • Nwuche urges newly elected council chairmen, councillors to emulate Wike, end mismanagement of funds

    Nwuche urges newly elected council chairmen, councillors to emulate Wike, end mismanagement of funds

    Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Prince Chibudum Nwuche, has charged newly elected council chairmen and councillors to emulate the developmental legacy of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, stressing that the era of diverting council funds is over.

    Nwuche gave the charge while addressing political leaders from Ahoada-East and Ahoada-West Local Government Areas at his country home in Ochiba, Ekpeye clan, Rivers State.

    He cautioned that communities would no longer tolerate the mismanagement of public resources by local government officials, warning that elected officers must be accountable and committed to grassroots development.

    The former Deputy Speaker recalled Wike’s tenure as chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, during which he executed impactful projects and empowered residents, urging the new council bosses to adopt a similar model of governance.

    “Radical changes are required at the local government level,” Nwuche said. “There is also the need to hold past officials accountable, particularly those who may have embezzled or tampered with councils’ funds.”

    He maintained that the success of the new chairmen and councillors would be measured by their ability to deliver tangible development and improve the welfare of their people.

    “We shall start this process with the past local government sole administrator, who was there for three months and there was a litany of complaints of looting of council Treasury with civil servants to buy houses, vehicles and land.

    “There is a need for full investigations by the EFCC, the ICPC and the police. They must investigate civil servants, who connived with the administration to loot the Treasury as no project was recorded to have been undertaken in this period.”

    Nwuche, who congratulated the newly elected grassroots’ officials particularly the chairmen of Ahoada East, Solomon Ochoma and Ahoada West, Eugene Cheta as well as councilors from the two local government areas, asked them to invest money in roads, electricity, water, healthcare, security among others.

    Read Also: Wike flags off emergency reconstruction of Abuja road

    He said: “Security is paramount and I urge them to devote their security votes to supporting the police, the DSS, the army, the civil defence and other agencies to protect our local government areas.

    “Ekpeye has been in the news for negative cult activities and killings for the past years. This is partly because past local government administrations did not prioritize security. The monies were diverted to their pockets leaving our communities porous. 

    “Our people are at the mercy of armed cultists with the police unable to respond most times on account of lack of vehicles, mobility, sometimes even as little as fuel”.

    Nwuche, who is also the Chairman of the South South Development Commission (SSDC) called on the chairmen to offer the cultists the options of either surrendering their arms and embracing amnesty or facing the wrath of the law.

    He called on on local government authorities in the two councils to decisively deploy their security votes to tackle criminality.

    He cried that Ahoada once known for its economic vitality and peace had become a shadow of itself, calling on the elected individuals to work for security of the area.

    He said, “Ahoada used to be the commercial heartbeat of the old Ahoada Division. Today, it is deserted, plagued by cult activities, and neglected by those who should protect it. This must stop,” Nwuche declared.

    “You must release and fund the security agencies to return fully. Repair their vehicles, equip their offices, and fund their operations. That is what the security vote is for the security of our people.

    “Ekpeye land has become notorious for cult activity from the 1990s with groups like Elephant, Igbudu, Kumasi, and the late 2 Baba. We must sound a clear warning to the cultists. Their time is up.”

    The SSDC Chairman emphasised that without law and order, development would remain elusive and appealed to the traditional rulers, including Eze Ekpeye Logbo, Eze Upata, Eze Igbuduya, and Eze Ahoada to lead by example and stop shielding cult elements.

    He said, “Let us offer a window for rehabilitation. After the amnesty, we will back the security agencies to fish out those who refuse peace and bring them to justice.

    “Some traditional leaders have, regrettably, empowered cultists to settle personal scores. That betrayal of leadership must end now.”

  • Enemies of Rivers linking crisis to ethnicity, says Nwuche

    Enemies of Rivers linking crisis to ethnicity, says Nwuche

    Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Prince Chibudom Nwuche, has condemned attempts to attribute the political crisis in Rivers State to ethnic divisions, describing such efforts as the handiwork of enemies of the state.

    Nwuche said those pushing the ethnic narrative are only interested in destabilising Rivers and eroding the longstanding unity between its diverse ethnic groups, particularly the riverine and upland communities.

    Speaking at his Port Harcourt residence while hosting members of the Wikematic Councillors and Supervisors Forum from Ahoada East LGA, Nwuche warned against the dangers of stoking ethnic tension for political gain.

    He pointed fingers at meddlesome actors, especially from outside the state, accusing them of exploiting political disagreements in Rivers to fuel division and insecurity.

    According to him, the ongoing political differences are internal matters that can and should be resolved without external interference. He urged all stakeholders to resist any attempt to destroy the peace and brotherhood Rivers people have enjoyed over the years.

    He said: “Those trying so hard to throw the state into crises did not contribute anything leading to the emergence of Siminalayi Fubara as governor of Rivers State. Some of them, who are claiming Ijaw today, were those who opposed the nomination of Fubara as not being ‘real Ijaw’ by Chief Ezenwo Nyesom Wike and did everything to stop him from becoming governor.

    “It was block votes from other tribes such as Ikwerre, Ogoni, Ekpeye, Etche, Kalabari, among others that gave the governor the overwhelming victory. No ethnic group in Rivers state can solely make a governor.”

    Nwuche urged the meddlesome interlopers from other states to leave Rivers alone and focus on their states, observing that some of them practically abandoned their mandate at the National Assembly to dissipate their energy in Rivers for monetary gains.

    “They would have deployed this to give their people effective representation instead of taking a centre stage in promoting crises in Rivers under the guise of supporting the suspended governor for pecuniary gains”, he said.

    Read Also: Nwuche seeks support for Ibas, hails Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers 

    Nwuche commended President Bola Tinubu for his timely intervention in Rivers through the declaration of a state of emergency to save the state and national economy from looming danger and breakdown of law and order following threats from the supporters of Fubara.

    He called on Rivers people to desist from unproductive sponsored protests capable of worsening the situation in the state, urging them to support the Sole Administrator, Vice-Admiral Ibok Ibas (retd) to achieve lasting peace and development in Rivers.

    Nwuche thanked his visitors and commended them for remaining steadfast in their support for Minister Wike and President Tinubu.

    Addressing them, he said: “I understand your worries. Your efforts and contributions in making Siminalayi Fubara the governor of Rivers were betrayed. Instead of reaping the dividends of your contributions, you were pushed aside and victimised for standing for the truth, while those who never worked for the emergence of the suspended governor became beneficiaries.

    “I thank you for remaining on the side of truth despite intimidation and harassment. The Supreme Court judgement has vindicated you, and you will surely reap the dividends of your steadfastness. I urge those who are still on the other side to retrace their steps and join hands to move the state forward.”

    Earlier in his speech, the leader of the delegation, Adamu Moses, told Nwuche that they were in his house to thank him for standing with Minister Wike and supporting President Tinubu’s administration and the restoration of law and order in Rivers.

    “If not for the timely intervention of the President through the declaration of a state of emergency, Rivers would have headed for full-scale crises that could have led to loss of lives and destruction of national oil and gas assets.

    “Already, they started bombing pipelines following a series of threats by those who claim to be in solidarity with the suspended governor, Siminalayi Fubara”, Adamu said.

    He extolled the leadership qualities of Wike, describing him as detribalized leader, who sited projects across all ethnic groups and LGAs in Rivers when he was governor.

    He said Wike made an Ijaw man governor against stiff opposition from even some notable Ijaw personalities, who at that time opposed Fubara as not being a real Ijaw.

    Adamu wondered why some persons were working hard to bring the state down by preaching ethnicity and pledged his group’s continuous support for the programmes of the Sole Administrator and those of Nyesom Wike and the success of President Tinubu and his reelection in 2027.

    Also speaking, the coordinator of the Wikematic former councillors’ forum in Rivers State,  Dr Samuel Amos, thanked Nwuche for being the true symbol of the Ekpeye man known for integrity and gratefulness by standing with Wike.

  • Nwuche seeks support for Ibas, hails Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers 

    Nwuche seeks support for Ibas, hails Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers 

    Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives,  Prince Chibudom Nwuche, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bold steps in restoring peace, law and order in Rivers State.

    Nwuche, who hails the President’s emergency rule in the state, called on all stakeholders to support the administration of Rivers Sole Administrator, Vice-Admiral Ibok Ibas (retd) to actualise his mandate in the state.

    Nwuche spoke when he received members of the former Councilors and Supervisors Forum from Ahoada East Local Government Area under the auspices of the Wikematic Counselors Forum (WCF) at his Port Harcourt residence.

    Nwuche commended his visitors for remaining steadfast during the political crises, which saw their efforts and contributions in making Siminalayi Fubara the governor of Rivers betrayed by Fubara.

    He said: “Rather than reaping the dividends of your contributions, you were pushed aside and victimized for your  stand for the truth. Those, who never worked for the emergence of the suspended governor became beneficiaries”.

    Nwuche berated the ingratitude displayed by suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara towards his benefactor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike,  singlehandedly made him Governor against all odds.

    He reminded the former councillors of the need to always show gratitude, saying, “a river that forgets its source will soon dry up”,adding  that even the Holy Bible condemns ingratitude.

    He cautioned the promoters of ethnicity in Rivers politics, saying it was heightening the political tension, especially those from outside Rivers.

    Nwuche, emphasised that Fubara was voted by all the tribes in Rivers such as the Ikwerre, Ogoni, Ekpeye, Etche, Kalabari among others insisting that no ethnic group could solely make itself a governor in Rivers.

    He said: “Fubara wasn’t voted as an Ijaw governor, but as A Rivers governor. He was voted for all Rivers people and not for any particular tribe”.

    He urged meddlesome interlopers from outside Rivers to focus on their states and called on those at the National Assembly to direct their energies on matters affecting their constituencies.

    He said: “I feel very disappointed when I see some members of the National Assembly from neighboring states pontificating on the Rivers crisis as if it was why their constituents sent them to the National Assembly. I urge the National Assembly to sanction such members and their constituents to recall them for lack of understanding of their mandate.”

    Nwuche advised those continuously sponsoring protests designed to  cause a breach of peace in Rivers to retrace their steps and realize that a Supreme Court Judgement had  resolved all the political issues in Rivers.

    He said  no amount of protests could change the position of the law on the political issues in Rivers and called on all citizens of Rivers to support the Sole Administrator in his determination to restore permanent peace and drive development within the period of the state of emergency.

    Nwuche also thanked his visitors  for remaining on the side of truth despite intimidation and harassment saying they had been vindicated with the Supreme Court judgement.

    Earlier in his speech, the leader of the delegation, Adamu Moses, told Nwuche that they were in his house to thank him for standing behind Wike in supporting President Tinubu’s  administration.

    Adamu said but for the timely intervention of the President through the  declaration of emergency rule, the state was already heading for full scale crises that could have led to loss of lives and wide scale destruction of  national oil and gas assets.

    Read Also: Tinubu will win re-election comfortably, presidency assures

    He said bombings of oil installations started after persons, who claimed to be in solidarity with the suspended governor threatened fire and brimstone.

    Adamu  extolled the leadership qualities of Wike describing him as a detribalized leader, who sited developmental projects across all ethnic groups and LGAs in Rivers when he was governor.

    He said Wike made an Ijaw man governor against stiff opposition from even some notable Ijaw personalities who at that time discriminated the governor as not being “real Ijaw”.

    He wondered why same persons were 

     the ones working hard to bring the state down by preaching ethnicity and pledged that his group would continue to support the programmes of the Sole Administrator as well as Wike and the success of President Tinubu administration including his reelection in 2027.

    Coordinator of the Wikematic Former Councilors Forum in Rivers State, Dr Samuel Amos thanked Nwuche for being the true symbol of the Ekpeye man known for integrity and gratitude by standing with Wike.

  • ‘Nwuche, a man of integrity’

    ‘Nwuche, a man of integrity’

    The Rivers Restoration Movement has described a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Prince Chibudom Nwuche, as a man of integrity.

    The group, yesterday in a statement in Port Harcourt, by its President, Dokubo Martins, and Secretary, Clarkson Jones, faulted the abuse of Nwuche by allies of the Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi.

    It alleged that the Inter-Ethnic Network for Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (INCRA) attempted to malign and persecute the ex-deputy speaker of the House of Representatives over imaginary fears.

    Rivers Restoration Movement said: “ INCRA, in its members’ desperation to malign Nwuche, peddled falsehood and forgot that he (Nwuche) remained the beacon of his people, because of his monumental achievements for the four years he was at the National Assembly (1999-2003).

    “Amaechi has shown no repentance for his hatred for Nwuche …Ekpeye people consider Nwuche as their political leader. Even His Royal Majesty, the King of Ekpeye people, Eze Robinson O. Robinson, has pronounced Nwuche so.  Nwuche has supporters and followers across all political parties in Ekpeyeland.”

  • ‘Nwuche, is a man of integrity’

    ‘Nwuche, is a man of integrity’

    The Rivers Restoration Movement has described a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Prince Chibudom Nwuche, as a man of integrity.

    The group, yesterday in a statement in Port Harcourt, by its President, Dokubo Martins, and Secretary, Clarkson Jones, faulted the abuse of Nwuche by allies of the Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi.

    Read More: Man kills children, self in Anambra

    It alleged that the Inter-Ethnic Network for Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (INCRA) attempted to malign and persecute the ex-deputy speaker of the House of Representatives over imaginary fears.

    Rivers Restoration Movement said: “ INCRA, in its members’ desperation to malign Nwuche, peddled falsehood and forgot that he (Nwuche) remained the beacon of his people, because of his monumental achievements for the four years he was at the National Assembly (1999-2003).

    “Amaechi has shown no repentance for his hatred for Nwuche …Ekpeye people consider Nwuche as their political leader. Even His Royal Majesty, the King of Ekpeye people, Eze Robinson O. Robinson, has pronounced Nwuche so.  Nwuche has supporters and followers across all political parties in Ekpeyeland.”

  • Ex-deputy speaker House of Reps lied against Amaechi on road in Rivers’

    Ex-deputy speaker House of Reps lied against Amaechi on road in Rivers’

    The Inter-ethnic Network for Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (INCRA) has accused a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Prince Chibodum Nwuche, of lying against the Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, an ex-Governor of Rivers State.

    It also described as really unfortunate, Nwuche’s Wednesday’s statement during the inauguration of 8.4-kilometre Edeoha-Ikata-Ochigba Road in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers state.

    INCRA, through a member  of its Interim Management Team, Gift Elenwo, declared that the former deputy speaker did not act as a statesman.

    Construction of the strategic road, which was started by Amaechi’s government, was completed by the Nyesom Wike’s administration and inaugurated on Wednesday by a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’abba.

    Nwuche, who is from the area, during the road’s inauguration, alleged that Amaechi abandoned the project because of him (Nwuche), while claiming that Wike was not just a politician, but a statesman.

    The ex-deputy speaker noted that the incumbent Rivers governor released funds for the construction of the road, despite the fact he (Nwuche) is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Nwuche said: “I tell people that politics is about the people.  People love Wike for his good works. They love him for the roads he has constructed for Ahoada people. I urge Governor Wike to keep being the good person that he is.”

    INCRA, however, said Nwuche’s statement was not only misleading, but fraught with falsehood.

    ‘’We are at a loss as to why the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives chose to sacrifice truth on the altar of politics. It is disheartening that a statesman in his mould would deliberately distort facts to suit a momentary political interest.

    “The Edeoha-Ikata-Ochigba Road was awarded by former Governor Amaechi, with the Ikata-Ochigba section of the road fully completed, while the Edeoha-Ikata section was not fully completed before the expiration of his tenure on May 29, 2015, but the drainage and earthworks were fully done. Nwuche deliberately evaded the truth to misinform unsuspecting members of the public and impress his NEW (Nyesom Ezenwo Wike) benefactor, who merely asphalted the road.

    “Rather than fault Amaechi, we had expected Nwuche to have apologised to his people over his inability to influence the construction of the road, while he was the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and the number six citizen of the county, between 1999 and 2003, during which period Amaechi was the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

    “Nwuche’s spurious allegation was made maliciously and in bad faith to discredit the genuine efforts Amaechi made as a governor to bring social and infrastructural developments to the Ahoada region. It is not contestable that Amaechi as governor, constructed many roads in the area, including 13-kilometre internal roads in Ahoada Town, with drainages on both sides and the 9-kilometre Cohisa By-pass/Abuja Road, with drainages.

    “It is our firm belief that Nwuche’s position on the road was informed more by his disinclination towards Amaechi than by the truth. It is on record that Amaechi embarked on massive construction of roads across the 23 LGAs and major towns in Rivers State. It is pertinent to point out that it might have been impossible for Amaechi to have constructed all the roads in the state, within the period he served as governor.”

    The group also stated that the former deputy speaker was one of the top politicians in Rivers state that opposed the emergence of Amaechi as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in early 2007 and that when Amaechi became governor on October 26, 2007, through the landmark judgment of the Supreme Court the precious day, he turned around to support the then governor (Amaechi).

    It noted that in the build up to the 2015 general elections, Nwuche joined forces with President Goodluck Jonathan and Wike to fight Amaechi out of the PDP, believing that the then President Jonathan would retain his seat and banish Amaechi from the political spheres.

    INCRA reiterated that shortly after President Muhammadu Buhari was declared winner of the 2015 election, the former deputy speaker defected to the APC from the PDP, ahead of the governorship election of 2015, declaring that the group was not surprised that Nwuche would at this time of seeming political wilderness in Rivers, gravitate towards Wike to seek pecuniary and alimentary gains over political integrity.

    It said: “While we may understand Nwuche’s rationale for hobnobbing with Wike and the PDP, we do not seem to understand his reasons for withholding the truth from the public. Eventhough Nwuche was awarded a contract by Wike to renovate a section of the Western Ahoada County High School – a contract below his status and fit only for up and coming politicians – should that be enough reason to have smothered the truth?

    “Has Nwuche suddenly lost faith in the APC, as a result of the slight delay in inaugurating the newly-appointed board chairmen and members of some Federal Government’s parastatals, of which he was appointed a board chairman?

    “A man, who appears to have failed to reflect the kind of focus, commitment and tenacity expected of someone who once occupied the exalted office of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, must not be taken seriously.”

    The group also urged Nwuche to be bold enough to define his political interest and pursue it openly and boldly, without fear or favour, rather than hiding under the guise of politicking beyond partisan limitations.

  • Nwuche greets Buhari on birthday

    Nwuche greets Buhari on birthday

    Former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, yesterday felicitated with President Muhammadu Buhari on his birthday.

    Nwuche in a statement in Abuja commended President Buhari on his exemplary leaders and dogged commitment to the enthronement of the change mantra with the noble goal of re-positioning Nigeria onto the path of true greatness and prosperity.

    He said, “Your Excellency, I write to heartily felicitate with you on your birthday anniversary, and also commend you for your exemplary leadership and dogged commitment to the enthronement of the change mantra with the noble goal of re-positioning our dear country onto the path of true greatness and prosperity.

    “Also worthy of commendation is your genuine and time-tested commitment to rectitude, transparency and morality which sadly, had been paid scant attention in the past, under less sensitive administrations.

    “I further salute you for your genuine commitment towards uplifting the entire nation and more particularly, revamping the ravaged economy of the country and the citizenry, even as I join millions of your teeming loyalists and admirers in celebrating with you on this auspicious day and wishing you many more fruitful years ahead.

    “Please accept my very fond wishes for God’s continued guidance, sound health, wisdom and prosperity as you continue to commit yourself to the service of our fatherland. Also accept the renewed assurances of my very high esteem sir.

  • Why we must unbundle Nigeria, by Nwuche

    Former Deputy Speaker Chibudom Nwuche yesterday joined clamours for immediate restructuring.

    He said Nigeria cannot move forward without dismantling the current structure.

    Nwuche told reporters in Abuja the nation’s structure must be reworked to foster sustained growth and development.

    He noted that those blaming bad leadership for the national malaise missed the point, arguing past leaders could not have all been deprived of ideas.

    The problem of the country, he insisted, is faulty structure that must be reworked to move Nigeria forward.

    He said that it is obvious that the subsisting structure does not bring out the best in Nigerians.

    According to him: “Nigeria has fallen back in almost every index because the structure is wrong and I believe our future is not even in oil; it is in solid minerals.

    “I think we should find a way to rework our structure and the National Assembly can start the process in the constitution Amendment engagement and begin to unbundle the centre.

    “I have always been clamouring for some sorts of structural adjustment of the country’s governance or mechanism for many years.

    “I believe that our structure can be made more efficient, we can unbundle the centre and revert back to old structure that appeared to have worked under which Nigeria knew progress, under which we were at par with countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore who have today left us far behind.”

    He went on: “The structure does not bring out the best in Nigerians.

    “If Nigerians believe that we have justice and equity and we address these issues, Nigerians are creative people.

    “They are very industrious, they can build this economy in multiples in a short time but they need to bring government near the masses.

    “The structure we have currently where the centre is responsible for everything where Lagos State has to tell the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to repair the road to their own airport and where the federal government owns the airport in Kano and owns the water ways in Rivers State and the federal ministry of water resources runs Abuja river basins when Kano State can do that by themselves as they did effectively under Bako. It is obvious that this structure is not working.”

     

  • Counsellors suspend Nwuche, three other APC chieftains

    •It’s laughable – Group

    A former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Prince Chibudom Nwuche and three other chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have been suspended for alleged anti-party activities.

    Nwuche, who hails from Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, was yesterday suspended along with a former member of the Rivers House of Assembly, Robinson Ewor; ex-Rivers Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Chief Andy Nweye; and APC Chairman in Ahoada East Local Government Area, Owuze Omah.

    The Chairman of Elected Councilors in Ahoada East LGA, Anthony Okorigwe, who read a communique at the end of the meeting of Committee of Elected Chairmen and Councilors in the council area, announced the suspension of the former Deputy Speaker and others.

    A group, the Ekpeye Renaissance Movement (ERM) of Ahoada East APC chapter in Rivers State, however, described the “purported” suspension of Nwuche, Ewor, Nweye and Omah as laughable.

    The suspension of Nwuche and others was spearheaded by APC’s candidate for Ahoada East constituency one in the Rivers House of Assembly in the last election, Eric Apia, who lost to the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mike Mannah, but he (Apia) was last week suspended for six months for anti-party activities by a disciplinary committee headed by Nweye and set up by APC in Ahoada East LGA.

    A former Chairman of the Caretaker Committee in Ahoada East LG council, Chiwemem Jerome, however, denied the allegations levelled against Apia.

    ERM, through its spokesperson, Ewah Harrison, yesterday in Port Harcourt, said: “The one-time councilors are not a body known to the party functions and are not allocated any function, much less talk of suspending the eminent sons and the pillars of the party in Ahoada East LGA. We know that Hon. Nwuche will not dignify the nonsense with a response. Hence, our putting the records straight, in order not to mislead the public by this vacuous pronouncement.

    The APC group also stated that very soon, the forum of former palmwine tappers would meet and purport to have expelled the deputy governorship candidate of that party during the 2015 election, Asita Honourable, and Apia from the party, stressing that it was how laughable the one-time councilors’ announcement was.

  • Nwuche is Ekpeye’s political leader, says monarch

    Nwuche is Ekpeye’s political leader, says monarch

    A traditional ruler in Rivers State, Eze Robinson O. Robinson, the Eze Ekpeye Logbo II of Ekpeye Kingdom, has said former House of Representatives Deputy Speaker of Chibudom Nwuche is the political leader of the Ekpeye ethnic nationality in the state.

    The monarch publicly anointed Nwuche at his palace in Odiereke community in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

    Ekpeye chiefs, elders, the elite, youths and students, led by Nwuche attended the ceremony where Nwuche was conferred with the revered traditional title of Esama Ekpeye Logbo (the Full Moon).

    Pronouncing the former lawmaker the political leader of the Ekpeye, the monarch also described Nwuche as the eye of the ethnic nationality.

    The monarch extolled Nwuche’s leadership qualities and his love for the Ekpeye.

    He added that the former deputy speaker demonstrated these when he was in the National Assembly.

    Robinson noted that despite his current non-political position, Nwuche still placed the development of Ekpeye among his priorities.

    The monarch urged the Ekpeye to rally round the former lawmaker, who he described as reliable, trustworthy and the catalyst for renewing the ethnic nationality.

    The monarch decried what he called the long and continuous neglect of the Ekpeye, Rivers third largest ethnic group, by the Rivers and Federal governments.

    He said the Ekpeye was also the third in population, size and production of crude oil and gas sustaining Nigeria.

    He added that the Ekpeye alone had been hosting two flow stations operated by the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) and Niger Delta Petroleum Resources (NDPR).

    Robinson expressed surprise that no Ekpeye son or daughter had been appointed a minister, ambassador, permanent secretary, board chairman, director of ministries and industries, despite the fact that the ethnic group had highly qualified persons for such positions.

    The monarch urged the Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to address the alleged neglect by appointing Ekpeye indigenes into high positions to ameliorate their “suffering”.

    Nwuche hailed the monarch for the sterling leadership he had been providing the Ekpeye since he ascended the throne.

    The former lawmaker said the area had witnessed relative development, especially the monarch’s role in ending the recent security crisis when those he called misguided youths took up arms against the kingdom.

    He recalled that the incident led to the killing of over 500 Ekpeye sons and daughters, the kidnap of many and the rape of several women.

    The former deputy speaker thanked Robinson for managing the crisis, adding that the prevailing peace in the community could be attributed to his intervention.