The Traditional Ruler of Elele, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze Jonathan O. G. Amadi has given marching orders to three of his Palace Chiefs.
The royal father, and Nye-Nwe-Ali Elele Okiniali Ni Elele Alimini said this became necessary to maintain decorum in his kingdom and forestall any act that could lead to a breach of peace and order in the area.
His Royal Highness, in a statement issued July 9, 2019 and copied relevant authorities in Elele including the Area Commander, Nigeria Police Isiokpo, Commanding Officer Elele Army Barracks, DPO, Elele Divisional Police etc, said the suspension of his former aides was with immediate effect.
Those suspended include the palace secretary, Gabriel Amadi, Okechukwu Okah and Chief Justice Amadi.
Angered by what he described as misrepresentation and misconstruction of his good intentions, Eze J. O. G. Amadi said he had no option but to relieve the affected chiefs of their official positions and also stop all unauthorized correspondence from his palace.
According to him, at no time did he install any of the chiefs as His Royal Highness (HRH), Eze Ali or Nye-Nwe-Ali of any kind as that is hereditary and the prerogative of the State Governor as guided by tradition, stressing that he only conferred palace chiefs on the suspended aides.
He also ordered Chief Okechukwu Okah to remove and purge himself of all insignia on his person or residence presenting him as His Royal Highness (HRH) as there cannot be two captains in a ship.
To fill the vacuum created by the suspension of the former Palace Chiefs, Eze Amadi has also approved the appointment of the following: David Okachi Woke as Palace Secretary, Chief Emmanuel O. Okah, Chairman, Elele Town Clan Council of Chiefs, Chief Godspower Ajuma, Vice Chairman and Chief James Amadi, Secretary.
Eze Amadi also used the opportunity to thank the Local Government Council Chairman for his fact finding mission to his palace and enjoined him to continue with his good work in the area.
However, Chief Okechukwu Okah is reported to have dismissed their suspension as unconstitutional, politically motivated and illegal as there is a subsisting court order over any attempt to remove them from office through the backdoor.
Chief Okah also dismissed the appointment of new palace chiefs as unconstitutional, unacceptable to the people and capable of breeding crisis in the area.
