It was yet another celebration in Elele Kingdom in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers as the Paramount Ruler/Nyenweli Elele Okaniali Ni Elele Alimini, His Royal Majesty Eze Jonathan O.G. Amadi (JP) rolled out the drums in celebration of his new staff of office as a first class traditional ruler in Rivers State.
Speaking at the event which coincided with the marking of this year’s new yam festival of the community, the Paramount Ruler warned some persons in the community whom he noted, are parading themselves as traditional rulers to desist from doing so to avoid the wrath of the gods of the land.
The monarch clarified on the difference between a family chief and that of honourary, adding that being an honourary adding that being an ordinary chief doesn’t give anyone the right to disrespect the orders of His Majesty. He stressed that the suspension order on some honourary chiefs of the community is still subsisting.
He used the opportunity to thank the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike for elevating his stool to first class status and the subsequent presentation of staff of office which he said signifies symbol of authority and thanked all those who stood by him and ensure the actualization of the dream especially, Sir Mike Elechi and urged residents and the people of Elele Kingdom to remain calm and law abiding, promising that the security challenges in the clan will soon be a thing of the past.
In his speech, the chairman Elele Town Council of Chiefs, Chief Emmanuel Okah expressed satisfaction over the presentation of staff of office to their monarch, describing him as a man of destiny, wisdom and integrity whom he believe will take the community to a greater height of development.
In reaction to a question, the chairman confirmed that “we have some decedent chiefs among us, some of them are self-acclaimed royal highness, when His Majesty has not given them such title and indeed has no powers to award royal highness but rather would crown the person “chief” in his domain and those parading themselves as royal highness has even been stripped of their chieftaincy title,” he stated.
The Eze Ochuariri-adi I of Mgbuayim, Elele further explained the procedures of someone to be admitted into the inner circle of the council of chiefs in Elele Town, saying that those suspended chiefs were at no time represented their families or villages, rather they were privileged out of the magnanimity of HRM which has been stripped off them due to their unruly behaviour in the community.
In their separate goodwill messages, the crown Prince of Elele, Prince Amadi Nnamdi, Emma Obuah, Eze Ammonia among others thanked Eze Sir Mike Elechi for his effort to the successful presentation of staff of office as well as his philanthropic gestures to the entire Elele Community.
They all expressed readiness to work closely with the monarch to succeed in his assignment and urged those creating division in the community to desist forth with in the interest of peaceful co-existence.
In an interview with newsmen, a stakeholder in the community and Managing Director\Chief Executive Office of Vintage Farm and Products, Eze Sir Mile Elechi explained that “Elele people are celebrating the first fruit or first harvest otherwise called new yam festival in our tradition and also the celebration of the staff of office presentation to our monarch.”
He further informed that the Traditional Ruler was not physically present at the venue when others received theirs hence the gathering.
Eze Elechi clarified that the stool of their monarch is not in contention and the monarch being the Eze-in-council has the right to constitute his cabinet and dethrone any person who performed below expectation of the appointing authority, saying that it is left for the dethroned persons to apologise and return back to the council which according to him is the best option for them, emphasizing that the community has a standard and that the traditional institution must be obeyed and respected.
