Community Rejects Monarch Who Fubara Gave Staff Of Office 

Some prominent sons of Rumueme Kingdom in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State have rejected the choice of His Royal Majesty, Ndamzi Nsirim as the new monarch of Rumueme Kingdom barely 24 hours after Governor Siminialayi Fubara gave him staff of office.

Some prominent indigenes of Rumueme while addressing the reporters said the three families of Rumukpakani who are traditionally allowed to select the Nye Nwe Eli has selected Prince Timothy Nsirim as the Nye Nwe Eli of Rumueme based on the community’s customs and tradition.

Fubara had on Tuesday presented two certificates of recognition and staff of office to His Royal Majesty Ndamzi Nsirim and His Majesty, Marcus Oduma Woyike, JP, Nye Nwe-Ali, Elele Okinali/Elele Alimini in Ikwerre Local Government Area.

According to Chief Hon Asor Owhonda who represents the Owhonda family, the government of Rivers State has succeeded in causing crisis in the Kingdom, noting that raditionally, the Rumukpakani selects their king and present him to the entire Rumueme Kingdom.

He said that the community has done that but are aaiting for the second burial of the late HRM Omunakwe Nsirim and the burial of the oldest man in the kingdom before the coronation of Chief Timothy Nsirm.

Also Chief Apostle Princewill Adiele who represents Orokpo and Kingsley Iheanyichukwu Wobo who represents Oro-Agbolu said the people are not happy with the recognition of Ndamzi Nsirim, disassociating themselves from the action of the state government.

Both family heads said the selection of Timothy was done base on the tradition and customs of the people of Rumueme Kingdom, noting that the state government lacks the powers to choose who becomes their King.

“The government wants to cause division in the Kingdom over the imposition of Ndamzi Nsirim as the New Nye Nwe Eli after the entire kingdom have chosen Chief Timothy Nsirim”, they said.

The Rumukpakani Community Development Committee (CDC) chairman, Anderson Eluda, explained that the three families that make up Rumukpakani have chosen Prince Timothy Nsirim and that the People of Rumueme are solidly behind him (Nsirim).

Dr Barr. Ameawhule Emeka Owhonda, who also spoke, explained that the action of the government is an aberration which will be challenged in court, commenced legal battle.

Dr Owhonda noted that Rumukpakani is the first son of Ebara community and have the traditional right to select the Nye Nwe Eli of Rumueme Kingdom.

He said:”The three families that make up Rumukpakani have chosen Timothy Nsirim as their King as tradition demands… what the government has done is for legal battle to commence which we are ready for.”