The Kalabari Youth Council (KYC) has expressed displeasure over unsavoury remarks credited to Alhaji Asari Dokubo against Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike following comments the governor made referencing the Amanyanabo of Kalabari Kingdom, Prof. T.J.T Princewill, during the recent congratulatory visit by Kalabari people to the Government House.
The youths who bared their minds in a press statement jointly signed by the President of the Kalabari Youth Council, Rt. Hon. Orolosama Peter Amachree and KYC Coordinators in Asari-Toru, Akuku-Toru and Degema Local Government Areas respectively, regretted that Asari Dokubo’s vituperations were misplaced as he and his cohorts were clearly ignorant of the circumstances and context in which the Governor made the statements to his visiting Kalabari guests.
Governor Wike had during the visit, criticized the Amanyanabo of Kalabari Kingdom, HRH, Professor T. J. T Princewill who recently played host to Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State without informing him as officially required by courtesy and protocol.
The youths declared: “Recognized traditional rulers, irrespective of political leanings, have a duty to work closely with the government at all times in the interest of their people and any breach of protocol in that respect should not be condoned by any well-meaning person.
“Regarding that particular matter, we believe that Governor Wike was right to bare his feelings to the visiting Kalabari people because Governor Dickson did not embark on that visit in good faith. As Governor, Dickson deliberately breached protocol by visiting another State without due information to the governor of the State being visited, even as a private visitor”.
Defending the visit to the Government House by the Kalabari Se, the youths disclosed that aside congratulating the governor on his historic victory in the last gubernatorial election with their daughter as Deputy, the Kalabari people also used the opportunity of the visit to request the approval of the all important Trans-Kalabari Road Phase 1 project, for which the governor acceded with assurance that the project would be completed in no distant time.
Stressing that the youths and indeed Kalabari people cannot be deceived by the activities of Asari Dokubo and his cohorts, the youths said Governor Dickson was touted to have undertaken the visit ‘to commiserate with the King on the death of over 40 Ijaw sons during the 2019 elections.
“In fact, the same governor did not have the good heart to extend same courtesy to Governor Wike who bore the brunt of the election crisis in Rivers State”, they stated.
Going further, the youths declared: “Governor Dickson’s ungodly plan to balkanize the Kalabari kingdom, in particular the claim over the Soku oil fields in Kalabari area, is very well known and for years Bayelsa State denied Rivers State the revenue accruing from those fields. Thank God, Governor Wike has now brought the Soku oil fields back to the Kalabari people and Rivers State”.
The Kalabari Youth Council recalled that the Amanyanabo of Abonnema, HM, Disrael Gbobo Bob-Manuel was victimized by former Governor Rotimi Amaechi when Governor Dickson visited him without his consent, urging people to be conscious of the fact that it is the governor that would have been called on, had any security issue arisen.
“It is therefore mischievous and irresponsible for the likes of Asari Dokubo and other paid political spokesman to see nothing wrong in the action of our respected King laying the red carpet for Governor Dickson who does not mean well for Kalabari people and Rivers State”, the fumed.
While emphasizing that Governor Wike deserves the respect and recognition of the State’s Chief Executive, KYC described all the threats and boasts from any quarter as ‘mere childish tantrums’ because, according to them, “God Almighty will crush all their devilish plans”.
The youths also implored elders of Kalabari kingdom to refrain from irresponsible statements and insinuations against other ethnic nationalities, adding that Governor Wike has advised that all ethnic nationalities in the State should collaborate and live in peace.
