The government of Rivers State has recognized former Niger-Delta warlord Alhaji Mujahid Asari Dokubo as the chief of his domain.
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara presented staff of office and certificates to four newly recognized monarchs in the state, including Dokubo of the Kalabari kingdom.
Chief Dokubo must now be recognized as His Royal Highness, the Amanyanabo of Torusarama Piri, in the state’s Degema Local Government Area.
Others that received staff of office on Tuesday include HRM Winston Odize Alamina Oputibeya XII, as the Amanyanabo of Koniju in the Okrika Local Government Area; HRM Eze Noble Friday Uwoh (CSP rtd) as the Eze Igbu-Ehuda (Ahoada) IV in the Ahoada-East Local Government Area; and HRH Prince Ike Ehie as the Eze Igbu Orilukwoe, also in the Ahoada-East Local Government Area of the state.
The event, held at the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, officially recognized the monarchs as custodians of culture and leaders within their respective communities.
The Governor’s Expectation
The governor charged the new chiefs not to see their “elevation” as “personal aggrandizement” but as partners with the government for unity, peace, and development in the state.
He said, “Your appointment in terms of this recognition is not for personal aggrandizement, but a call for service, a responsibility to help us protect lives and property in your domains.”
Mr Fubara put the new monarchs on notice that he retains the constitutional power to withdraw their recognition if they are found wanting, although he does not intend to exercise such authority.
He said, “I don’t want you to see this elevation as another platform to create problems in your locality. We have the power to still withdraw the recognition, but I don’t intend to do that. So, I want you to be partners with the government to ensure that we continue to succeed.“
He added, “I know that you are all men of integrity. Support the course of governance so that we can all succeed together. It is a privileged position, and I am very sure that you are going to use it in the best interest of your people.“
Chief Dokubo came to the limelight as the leader of the Niger Delta Volunteer Force in the late 90s and early 2000s, which took up arms against the Nigerian State in demand for greater equity in the region’s oil resources. In the last election in 2023, he was a loud supporter of President Bola Tinubu but has since retraced his steps, claiming the government was the “worst ever for the people of the Niger Delta” region.
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