Ijaw tell Wike to apologise for ‘insulting’ Kalabari monarchy

Ijaw Elders Forum (IEF), Lagos State chapter, and other concerned Ijaw groups have demanded unreserved apology from Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, for what they described as disrespect for the traditional institution.

Wike had threatened to dethrone the Amayanabo of Kalabari, King Theophilus Princewill, for playing host to Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson recently.

In a statement signed by the Vice Chairman of IEF, Chief Atamuno A. Atamuno; Chairman, Board of Trustees, Ijaw Professionals Association (IPA), Maj-Gen. Paul Alaowei Toun (rtd.); and Moderator, Ijaw Nation Forum (INF), Ben Okoro, the groups described Wike’s threat as divisive, stressing that it was capable of causing unnecessary tension in the state.

“Ijaw Elders Forum Lagos, Ijaw Professionals as well as the Ijaw Nation Forum condemn in very strong terms this wanton disrespect of the respected traditional institution by a person of the status of Governor of Rivers State.

“It is rather unbecoming of a person holding a position of trust such as the office of governor to talk in such disdainful manner to anyone, least of all one who occupies a revered traditional institution (seat),” they stated. The group, therefore, called on the governor to tender an unreserved apology to the monarch and the Ijaw nation “to correct this wrong done to our people”.