Fubara withdraws reinstatement of Rumuepirikom traditional ruler amid stool dispute

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has withdrawn the reinstatement of the traditional ruler of Rumuepirikom community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area amid a lingering dispute over the stool.

The governor, in a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Ndukue Patrick, on Thursday, directed the withdrawal of the reinstatement order, letter and certificate earlier issued to His Royal Highness, Eze Anthony Amaezuruike Aaron Owabie, Nye-Nwe-Eli Rumuepirikom.

The statement said Fubara exercised the powers vested in him under Section 17 of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Law No. 4 of 2015 to approve the withdrawal.

It directed all parties involved in the matter to return to the status quo pending the determination of the case before the court.

The withdrawal, according to the statement, takes immediate effect.

The decision is connected to the longstanding dispute over the traditional rulership of Rumuepirikom, the community of former Rivers State Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike.

The dispute became particularly contentious during the political crisis between Fubara and Wike, when the governor appointed another person as the traditional ruler of the community.

The appointment occurred against the backdrop of the bitter political disagreement between the two men, with the development becoming part of the wider tensions that characterised the crisis in the state.

The latest decision by Fubara also comes amid reports of easing political tensions between him and Wike, raising questions about whether the governor is reviewing some decisions taken at the height of their political dispute.