FORUM OF TRADITIONAL RULERS OF KALABARI ETHNIC NATIONALITY
A CLARION CALL TO AVERT VIOLENT CLASH AND POSSIBLE BLOODSHED BETWEEN TWO GROUPS IN KALABARI LAND
The Forum of Traditional Rulers of Kalabari Ethnic Nationality hereby alert the Governor and Chief Security Officer of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS and Heads of the various security agencies in the State on the need to avert a potential violent clash on Saturday 15th March, 2025 in Kalabari land between two opposing groups that could lead to bloodshed.
The urgency of our alarm follows a plan by a political pressure group to hold a civic reception at the Community Secondary School Field, Abalama in Asari-Toru LGA, the same venue where the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC Eastern Zone, also plans to hold its Congress this weekend.
We are concerned that the clash of venues for the planned events by the two opposing groups, if not addressed, may cause a possible breach of peace and order in the area.
This could potentially threaten the existing peace in Abalama Community and the rest of Kalabari land.
The Traditional Rulers of the Kalabari Ethnic Nationality therefore appeal to both parties to relocate their events elsewhere, possibly outside Kalabari land, to avert a possible violent clash in the area.
Kalabari Land cannot be the epicenter of such impending crisis.
We call for an outright cancellation of all activities slated for Saturday, 15th March 2025, at the Abalama Community Secondary School Field, regardless of whether permission was previously sought and granted or not, to avoid any crisis in Kalabari land.
Better still, we advise both parties to choose different days and venues should they wish to hold such activities on our land.
Signed: for themselves and on behalf of the Forum Traditional Rulers of Kalabari Ethnic Nationality:
HRH, King Lawrence O. O. Odum (Odum Barboy IX), Amanyanabo of Bakana and Chairman, DELGA Area Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs.
HRH, Ene Dateme,
Obonogina of Obonoma,
For the Chairman of Akuku-Toru Area Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs.
HRH, King Emmanuel Stephen,
Dadaye VI, Amanyanabo of Ifoko,
Secretary, ASALGA Council of Traditional Rulers.
HRH, King Kariboye Karibo, Okio (III), Teinya (I), Amanyanabo of Idama/Ekulema, Akuku-Toru LGA.
HRH, King Agolia Cookey Aboko, Omoni (XII) Amanyanabo of Ke Kingdom.
HRH, King Iboroma Talbot Pokubo,
Amanyanabo of Minama, and
HRH, King Stephen J. Tobins JP, (Akee X), Amanyanabo of Bukuma.