***They Have Turned Errand Boys For Politicians Because Of Money—Deltans
For standing behind Delta state former governor James Ibori, governor Ifeanyi Okowa, his wife, deputy governor Kingsley Otuaro and other politicians who were sitting during a group photograph, Deltans have taken a swipe at traditional rulers in the state, describing their action as sacrilegious.
The group photograph which was taken on Thursday in Asaba, the state capital, during an award event by traditional rulers under the auspices of the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, to bestow awards on governor Ifeanyi Okowa, his deputy, Kingsley Otuaro and the state former governor, James Ibori.
Carpeting the royal fathers for such sacrilegious act, where they stood behind their subjects who were seated for a photograph, Deltans on social media, expressed disappointment, and likened their action to that of errand boys.
Reacting to the group photograph where the monarchs were standing behind their subjects who were seated, a human rights activist based in Warri, Israel Joe, described the traditional rulers as “hustlers” hustling for the Christmas season.
“This December has yielded good fruits to hustlers. The season is real and hustling pays. Just see how Kings stood while servants sit. Desecration of peoples’ authority. Delta state I hail. The real royal fathers lived in the times of colonial era. They fought for their pride and go into war for their dignity. These ones are loyal fathers ni.”
Also reacting, a social commentator based in Delta state, Samuel Meyiwa Khalil, scolded the royal fathers for belittling the royal throne because of political patronage.
“As old as President Muhammadu Buhari, anytime traditional rulers visits him, he doesn’t sit to take photos with them, he stands like the Kings too. If they are too much, he takes them turn by turn.
“In our own Delta state where traditional institution has become an appendage of the PDP; they could stand while even the speaker of Delta state house of Assembly was fully seated. What is wrong in allowing them to take their turns for the photo shoot? Why make them stand and the state executive and legislative arm representatives sat down?
“Only God knows if they were told to squat just to be part of the photo, what would have happened? who knows?! The way our traditional rulers are demeaning the stool of our forefathers is becoming very worrisome. Just see as them stand like olokpa to take pishure. God damn!”
Speaking at the reception for the award ceremony, governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who thanked the royal fathers for the recognition given him and his deputy governor, described the day as “wonderful and marvelous in my sight. I thank the traditional rulers council for the honour done to me and my deputy, because my deputy and I are on a joint ticket.
“No question can arise that we are honoured with our former governor, Chief James Ibori; Chief Ibori laid the foundation for the development of our state and I am very grateful for this honour done us. I am glad that you honoured me along with my deputy and our political leader; our peace-building efforts would not have been possible without Ibori.
“Collectively, we will continue to consolidate on our peace; by the special grace of God, we will remain focused, do those things that are right and serve our people in humility, because it is better to serve than be served. The strength of governance is in the people every Deltan and non-Deltan living in the state; the more we run an inclusive government, the more successes we record.
Speaking in the same vein, former governor James Ibori thanked the traditional rulers for the recognition and for contributing in ensuring peace in the state by having peaceful kingdoms.
In his remarks, chairman of the traditional rulers’ council in the state, Obi Emmanuel Efeizomor II, stated that the ceremony was important to appreciate the roles the recipients had played in the development of the state.
Meanwhile, the way and manner the event was conceived by the traditional rulers, leaving out former governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, portrayed Uduaghan in bad light as all credits for the infrastructural development of the state, peace and security and human capital were guven to the incumbent governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, his deputy and former governor James Ibori.
This however aggravated former governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, who perceived the whole royal fathers action as a spite on his person after all he has done for the traditional stools and the development brought to the state during his administration.
Uduaghan who took to his verified facebook account to express his mind through a post he made and titled “I Shall Be Unzipping A Little Today”, carpeted governor Okowa and the traditional rulers for using his administration achievement to bestow an award on Okowa.
Uduaghan, a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and Delta south senatorial candidate in the 2019 general election, had to his administration credit, Asaba International Airport, new government house Complex, Asaba, the gigantic Interbua flyover, the Asaba Delta mall (Shoprite), the dome event centre, fly over among other legacies for which Okowa is was honoured by the monarch.
Some of the Uduaghan’s facebook posts read thus, “you cannot fund and mobilise traditional rulers to spite me. Any ex-Gov has the capacity to ensure that his state is peaceful, or create a platform for crisis. You cannot fund & mobilise Traditional Rulers to Asaba to spite me. All of us get “smart cunny.
““In spite of the lies out there, I was on the driver’s seat in 2014/15, to midwife the current Delta state administration. The critical responsibility of any state leader is to ensure that all actions maintain the peaceful nature of the State.
“Today’s power is not in the guns you have acquired. Power is in the handset we are all carrying. In sponsoring an action, do you assess the ethnic & political implications at all? Some actions are just damn silly!!!
“Congrats to those being honoured by “some” Delta State Traditional Rulers today!!! Interestingly, you are being honoured for: Peace and Security, human capital development, and Infra development.
“On the inf. dev, those coming by air will be landing at Asaba airport built & put into use in my administration. Asaba airport had transported 100k+ of passengers including every past & current Presidents/VPs in Nig. b4 I left office.
“I wish you a great ceremony as you use the EVENT centre & Govt House complex built by my administration.”
In one of his post, Uduaghan said that all the infrastructural projects being paraded by Governor Okowa for which he was selected to be honoured were his achievement while in office as a governor.
