Dakuku Peterside has described as “demeaning” and “unbefitting” a recent address given by Rivers state Governor Nyesom Wike to traditional rulers.
The NIMASA DG said this in reaction to a video clip of Wike talking down to traditional rulers in the state during their quarterly meeting in Port Harcourt. Peterside said the governor’s utterances are “unbecoming” of a man occupying such an office.
He said, “Wike’s penchant for embarrassing traditional rulers is becoming irresponsible and shameful. Never in our history have we had such a disrespectful governor”. For him, Wike’s behaviour on the day signify a fall in standard where a governor can “insult, disgrace, humiliate, and depose traditional rulers at will”.
“Since 2015, Wike has sacked, deposed and withdrawn recognition from several royal fathers without any recourse to history, tradition and culture. Not too long ago, Wike threatened to depose the Amanyanabo of Kalabari, King Theophilus Princewill, just as he has severally lambasted traditional rulers as if they were his servants.
“Wike must be called to order. Well-meaning Rivers people must call him to order. He is turning himself into a feudal lord and an emperor at the same time. History is replete with his likes who ended up badly after turning themselves to tiny gods.”
Peterside implored the traditional rulers to let the shameful and disrespectful act go, while also reminding Wike that “history is watching”.
