The former Chairman of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers’ Council, Sergeant Chidi Awuse, has expressed deep sorrow over his removal from the position by Governor Siminialayi Fubara, during a time when he was in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) fighting for his life.
Awuse, the traditional ruler of Emohua Local Government Area, revealed that despite his critical condition, the governor publicly criticized him, calling him “unsteady,” despite his prior efforts in supporting Fubara’s rise to governorship.
Speaking over the weekend, Awuse addressed the issue during a visit from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and a delegation of his political allies, who came to his palace to celebrate his recovery from a severe illness.
Awuse had been relieved of his position on June 21, with Governor Fubara appointing Eze Chike Worlu Wodo, the paramount ruler of Apara Kingdom, in his place.
The governor had justified the decision by accusing Awuse of being inactive and failing to provide effective leadership within the council.
However, Awuse, who had just returned from a medical trip, described Governor Fubara’s actions as a display of ingratitude. According to Awuse, he had formally notified the governor three times about his need to travel for medical reasons, and each of his letters was acknowledged by the state government.
“I never went out of this state without telling my governor; not just once. So, when somebody said he didn’t know where I went to, I was surprised.
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“I was sacked from my seat the day I was in ICU. I was in a coma for 10 hours. I told only Wike because everybody rejected me.
“The government I was serving rejected me. I am learning how to stand up because I was in the ICU for six weeks with gadgets all over my body and was fed through my nose. But the governor said I was a man of questionable character, and I am not steady. That is one quality I don’t deserve. Call me any other name but I am a steady human being.”
In response, Nyesom Wike expressed surprise and disappointment at the governor’s remarks about Awuse, whom he praised as a highly regarded and dedicated political figure.
Wike emphasized that Awuse was one of the major figures responsible for securing Fubara’s candidacy for the governorship under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
“He was one of the few people who made sure on the day we were deciding who would run as a governor, he canvassed that the ticket be given to the governor.
“But he was on television casting aspersions on somebody who all of us revered in politics. That is all part of life,” Wike said.
