PORT HARCOURT — Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has cautioned traditional rulers across the state against playing politics, charging them to maintain strict neutrality and safeguard peace as the 2027 general election cycle heats up.
Speaking on Wednesday in Port Harcourt while opening the combined 126th, 127th, and 128th quarterly meeting of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, Fubara warned that partisan moves by community leaders could trigger unnecessary grassroots crises.
Key Highlights:
Political Neutrality: Governor Fubara urges traditional rulers to remain impartial fathers to all residents ahead of 2027.
Welfare Commitments: Assures monarchs that promised welfare packages and official vehicles will be delivered before the end of his tenure next year.
Statutory Stipends: Clarifies that local government stipends are constitutionally bound and cannot be changed by executive pronouncements.
Council Demands: Royal fathers appeal for official utility vehicles and enhanced monthly allowances to cushion economic realities.
”Do Not Divide Your Communities”
Addressing the royal fathers, Fubara stressed that the core mandate of traditional institutions is to administer justice and unite their subjects, rather than deepen political fault lines.
”As we are entering into this political season actively, everyone should ensure that your conduct promotes peace in your place. Your actions should not lead to division and multiple crises that we cannot manage as a government,” Fubara told the gathering.
The governor urged the royal fathers to uphold their coronation oaths and put the overall stability of Rivers State above personal political interests—a standard he claimed guides his administration daily.
Addressing Monarchy Welfare and Vehicles
Reacting to appeals regarding the welfare of traditional rulers, Fubara addressed delays in meeting some of the council’s previous demands, explaining that administrative hurdles within the council itself were responsible, not government neglect.
Regarding monthly stipends paid by local government councils, the governor explained that those rates are governed by constitutional provisions and cannot be altered by simple verbal pronouncements. However, he reassured the council that his administration would honor all its promises to royal fathers before leaving office next year.
Traditional Rulers Detail Operational Hurdles
Earlier, the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom, HRM Eze Chike Amadi Worlu Wodo, commended the state government for keeping open channels of communication with the traditional institution.
Eze Wodo highlighted the key role monarchs play in resolving grassroots land, family, and chieftaincy disputes, but pointed out major operational bottlenecks—specifically a lack of official utility vehicles, inadequate logistical support, and monthly stipends that no longer match prevailing economic realities.