Crisis is brewing in Rumueme Kingdom in Obio-Akpor, Port Harcourt capital city following the recognition of Ndamzi Nsirim as Nyenweli and Paramount Ruler of the area by the state Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara.

The governor on Wednesday presented certificates of recognition and staff of office to two first class traditional rulers in Ikwerre and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas of the State in Government House, Port Harcourt.

His Majesty, King Ndamzi Nsirim, Nye Nwe-Eli Rumueme Kingdom in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, was one of the monarchs recognised by the governor as a first class king.

Fubara said the government was only officially recognizing what their communities had done through the traditional process of selection and installation.

But the Rumueme Council of Chiefs, Elders and Owhor Holders in a well-attended meeting rejected the recognition.

The Rumueme Council in a position paper signed by their Chairman, Chief George Ihunwo and Secretary-General, Chief F.A. Wokeh said Nsirim was wrongly presented to the governor.

They said: “Ndamzi Nsirim in whatever capacity as wrongly presented to His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara has never, was never coronated in any capacity to be the Paramount ruler of Rumueme kingdom in keeping with the judicial decisions up to the Supreme Court which rightly vests the traditional Authority of Rumueme kingdom in the Rumueme Council of Chiefs, Elders and Owhor Holders.

“The Rivers State government is aware of these judgments that clearly nullifies and voids any capacity of Ndamzi Nsirim to be the Paramount ruler of Rumueme kingdom under any title or guise.

“Ndamzi Nsirim and those who smuggled him into the Rivers State government House for the purported issuance of Certificate of recognition and Staff of office are unknown to Rumueme people as they lack the mandate or authority of Rumueme kingdom to do so, hence they are imposters.”

They urged Governor Fubara to withdraw what they described as the illegal recognition and urged the governor not to allow over-ambitious characters to cajole him and portray him as a bias and mis-exercising his lawful powers.

The council of chiefs said: “The chieftaincy tradition of Rumueme kingdom and the Judgments on High Court suit No:- PHC/293/92  ,Appeal Court Suit No:- CA/PH/25/99 and Supreme Court of Nigeria Suit No:-SC/460/2010 must be complied with in this case.

“We are happy with the creation of First Class Stool in Rumueme Kingdom by the outgone administration but Rumueme Council of Chiefs, Elders and Owhor Holders whom traditional authority is vested on frown at the impunity of the Rivers State Government selecting an occupant to the stool.

“It is on record that the decision of the state government has been challenged in the court awaiting the interpretation of the court. The action of the governor undoubtedly was ill-advised albeit misleading.

“Thus we urge His Excellency, our own dear governor, a peace-loving man who is a beneficiary of the judiciary, in keeping with his avowed commitment to the rule of law to do the due diligence and correct this travesty as it may amount to a Contempt of Court and subjudicial.

“Hence His Excellency Governor Siminalayi Fubara should as a statesman rise to do the right thing by reversing this false recognition of Nnamdi Nsirim because it is a stolen title that he is now brandishing since that you cannot build something on nothing and expect it to stand.”