Governor Nyesom Wike has warned Chief Appolus Chu of Eleme to forthwith, stop speaking on behalf of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers.
Wike said that Chief Chu is not a Government Recognised Traditional Ruler, and should stop parading himself as the One-eh, Eta Ogale in Eleme Local Government Area.
He handed the warning during a meeting with the Traditional Rulers of Eleme Local Government Area on Wednesday at the Government House Port Harcourt, adding that a government recognised Traditional Ruler cannot be deposed without the involvement of the State Government.
According to him: “It is illegal to remove a Traditional Ruler recognised by the State Government. Government must be in the know before a Government recognised Traditional Ruler is removed.
“The Official Gazette Number 8, 26th May 2015, Volume 51, Traditional Rulers recognised by Government. One-Eh Ogale is HRH Godwin Bebee Okpabi.
“Bebee did not support me, but I am doing this because of the law. Therefore, you cannot on your own remove a Government Recognised Traditional Ruler. Let’s not do what will cause crisis in Eleme Local Government Area “, he said.
He stated that if any community wants to depose a Government Recognised Traditional Ruler, it must follow the laid down procedures.
“If the people of Ogale no longer want this man as a Chief, they should take the right steps as provided by the law”, he said.
