In response to recent comments credited to the Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, the Okochiri Kingdom council of chiefs has carpeted the former governor describing the latter’s action as “lack of respect for the ancient Okochiri kingdom.
It should be recalled that the minister of transportation had criticized the level of insecurity in the state with reference to His Majesty King Ateke Michael Tom, at the funeral service of an Elder statesman, Hon Justice Adulphus Karibi-White, a justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria at St. Augustine’s Anglican Church Abonnema.
A statement signed by Chief Jackson Adoki Ibitienbo noted that the former Governor while trying to portray his despicable claim of insecurity in Rivers State had stated,” Everyone is scared, we are going back to when Ateke held sway. We are going back to the period where we run away from our people”.
The Okochiri Kingdom Council of Chiefs maintained that: “the people of Okochiri kingdom, like all Wakirike people are a peace loving people but not cowards and will want to call on former Governor Rotimi Amaechi to take his uncouth mouth to the arena of jackals where he is a Chief.
“As a Kingdom we are appalled at the callous manner Amaechi has exhibited his lack of respect for the Ancient Okochiri Kingdom but not surprised because the lack of proper breeding cannot be compensated for by political opportunism.
“We condemn this in its totality and call for caution as we will no longer entertain such despicable and uncultured behavior which he has exhibited at every given opportunity”.
Going down memory lane, the council recalled that what he (Amaechi) was Governor of Rivers State, he wasn’t short of such conduct and as such insulted and harassed respected traditional rulers at will, including the traditional ruler of Abonnema in whose domain he made such disparaging remarks on the person of King Ateke Tom.
They cautioned that the Minister incessant hatred for King Ateke Tom is of public knowledge and a source of concern for all right thinking persons.
The statement further called on the Hon Minister of Transportation “to grapple with the hyenas in his head and the political extinction facing him rather than constantly pick on a king whose acceptance, generosity and popularity has made him a toast of his people”.
Continuing the Okochiri Kingdom Council of Chiefs stressed the minister of transportation had given to Rivers people as projects were his hatred, division, bloodbath and oppression, “while the present Governor Wike employs every means to repair the damages”.
The council also expressed concern over what it described as Amaechi’s continuous demarketing of Rivers State and indeed anybody that has anything good to offer Rivers State which they observed had caused the state a huge loss economically.
The statement equally noted that “King Ateke Tom, the King of Okochiri kingdom, is doing his best to maintain peace not just in Okochiri kingdom but in Rivers State and the Niger Delta region at large. These practical generous efforts are well known, seen and celebrated by his people and humanity in general.
In conclusion, the council of chiefs enjoined his Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari on the need to carry out a fatherly evaluation on Rt Hon. Rotimi Chibuike the minister of transport, with a view to ascertaining his problems and seeking appropriate remediation.
“We appeal that this is taken with utmost priority as it will help him fulfill his duties as a public servant,” the statement stressed.
The statement added that “His Majesty King Ateke Michael Tom and the People of Okochiri Kingdom are willing to help in the search for the healing of Amaechi of his chronic sickness of rabid rampaging shenanigans if the need arises.”
