Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has stated that the acknowledgment of King Ateke Michael Tom as the Amayanabo of old Okochiri kingdom by his administration has brought peace, stability, and security to Okochiri and the entire Okrika council.

Without the assistance of traditional rulers, any administration, at any level, will find it difficult to create peace, according to the governor.

Governor Wike made the remarks after receiving the traditional title of “Se Taribo 1st of Okochiri kingdom (A man who loves his people)” in Okochiri in Rivers State’s Okrika Local Government Area on Saturday.

“The recognition of Ateke Tom by government as the Amayanabo of Okochiri has brought peace in this domain, and the people are happy with his leadership. And that is why today you can see that there is peace that reigns within the environment of Okochiri, and to greater extent, the entire Okrika Local Government,” Wike said.

When a person is charged with presiding over the affairs of the people, the governor remarked that if his administration is founded on justice, fairness, and equity, it will bring peace and happiness to those who are ruled.

“It is one thing to be traditional ruler, it is another thing to live up to expectation of a traditional ruler. You have kept your kingdom as one, you have kept your kingdom in peace, you have kept your kingdom united, and that is what is expected of a traditional ruler,” he said.

The governor added that;

“You’re not just a traditional ruler to confer chieftaincy title on us, you’re also a traditional ruler to help government to maintain peace in your domain. Because without the traditional rulers, it will be difficult for any government at whatever level to achieve anything. Governance without peace, governance without security is no governance. Governance is predicated on protection of life and property.”

The large turnout of people from all walks of life to celebrate King Ateke Michael Tom’s coronation as the Amayanabo of Okochiri and the dedication of his new palace, according to Governor Wike, is a testament to their admiration for his leadership.

“Ateke Tom has brought peace. Don’t see him as Ateke Tom that fought for the Niger Delta, see him as Ateke Tom, the traditional ruler, the Amayanabo of Okochiri kingdom, whose traditional duty is to make sure peace reigns in his domain,” he said.

Governor Wike thanked the king for his support for his administration and vowed to finish all ongoing infrastructure projects in Okochiri and the entire Okrika council.

The governor asked Okrika residents and the rest of the country to band together and guarantee that the All Progressives Congress is defeated in 2023.

“It’s only God that is holding us today. Things are very difficult day by day. The government at the national level has failed us, and therefore, it’s time for Nigerians to rally round to make sure we have a government that will take care of our people,” Wike said.

𝑳𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒕?
𝑷𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒙 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒘!