The Paramount ruler of Rumuolumeni community, HRH Eze Ndubueze Wobo Okocha has dismissed report that he is unfit to carry on his duties as the head of Rumuolumeni community. Eze Ndubueze Okocha while briefing newsmen in the presence of chiefs, elders and youths said he is the government recognized traditional ruler and he has always attended every meeting called by the government and the traditional rulers council in Rivers State.
” As far as this community, Agbor and Rivers State is concerned, I do my function. Meetings called by the government and the one called by the traditional rulers I attend”
” Rivers State government appointed me and gave me staff of office. If I am not fit, I don’t think I would have been appointed. As I am alive, we can not have two Paramount ruler” he stated.
Also speaking, Community Development Chairman Rumuolumeni Ikechi Williams said attempt to coronate another traditional ruler is a taboo in the community.
” From 1999 till date, we have been enjoying peace, we don’t want to be distablised. We don’t want to be running away from our communities just like what happened in 2007″
” Eze is fit and proper. In a community, there can not be two Paramount ruler. At this point, I am saying that all the allegations alleged against the Paramount ruler is false” he stated.
On his part, the chairman of Rumuolumeni Standing Committee on peace and reconciliation Collins Wokpora called on the Rivers State government to call to order those saying that the Paramount ruler of Rumuolumeni is not fit to perform his duties.
” This is a man that attend all functions, both local and outside. Members of Peace and reconciliation Committee stands here to say we don’t support it. We are solidly behind him, the entire community is with him”
“This group that are coming up now, we are inviting the government to call them to order. This community does not deserve anarchy and chaos. This thing they are doing can cause problems. Eze is not deformed, he is capable” he stated.
Speaking on behalf of the head of Okocha House in Rumuolumeni, Kingsley Aliba explains the process of installing and crowing King in Rumuolumeni community.
He said Okocha has its well structured and well regimented house in Rumuolumeni. And in Okocha House, they have Rumuokenda and Rumuobi. He revealed that Rumuobi is vested with the powers to appoint, elect, install, and remove the Paramount ruler of Rumuolumeni, and they are the only people that are invested with such power.
He further explain that Rumuokenda is the princess. They are the biological children of King Okocha, they don’t have power to crown themselves and remove themselves. Adding that they don’t have any power at all.
In the meantime, youth leader of the Rumuolumeni community Kingsley Orhu said Eze Ndubueze Okocha has always participated in the activities of the youth in the community.
” He has always encouraged and advice us. In areas where we went wrong, he has always cautioned us to do the right thing. He is a man who loves peace and we have enjoyed relative peace in this community” he stated.
