The Rivers State Government had through the Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs issued a letter of withdrawal of Government Recognition to Eze EZIWHUO-JOHNSON on Wednesday this week.
The Government also directed the issuance of Certificate of Recognition to CHIKE WORLU-WODO as the new Paramount Ruler of Apara following a protest by some persons against the deposed Nyenwe-Ali Apara.
Reacting to the development, the Chief and Elders of the Apara Ruling family insisted that Eze GIFT EZIWHUO-JOHNSON remains their king.
In a communiqué read by Elder LAWRENCE WELI, the ruling family described the actions of the Rivers State Government as a grave error and vindictive.
The aggrieved Apara chiefs said the government action did not follow process of selecting a king; warning that it was dangerous to play politics with the traditional stool.
The Apara chiefs and elders also noted that the purported recognition of CHIKE WORLU-WODO as Paramount ruler was conceived in bad faith.
It may interest you to note that Eze GIFT EZIWHUO-JOHNSON was given the certificate of recognition and staff of office as Paramount Ruler of Apara under former governor, ROTIMI AMAECHI when the present Governor was the Chief of Staff at the Government House.
