The Ogoni traditional rulers in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State have declared total support for His Royal Majesty, King Samuel L. A. Nnee, Gbenemene Tai Kingdom/Paramount Ruler, Kpite Tai, disassociating themselves from a suit against the monarch.
The traditional rulers, therefore, said that they were embarrassed with the news making the rounds that King Nnee has been suspended, sacked or removed by a court.
The traditional rulers under the umbrella, Tai Council of Chiefs and Elders, in a nine-point resolution after their meeting on Friday, stated that the council was not among the parties in a legal suit bordering on the stool of Gbenemene Tai, which they said is the exclusive right of the council as the owners of the stool.
In a communique signed by 11 members of the council: Chief N. Emmanuel, paramount ruler of Nonwa Tai; Clement Gbenegbara, paramount ruler, Bara-alue Tai; Mene Fidelis Nkerelo, paramount ruler, Good Tai; and Chief Charles Ndinee, paramount ruler of Deegor Kiru, declared that Tai Kingdom has remained peaceful since the emergence of HRM Nnee as their monarch.
The council, therefore, declared: “That we were embarrassed with news going round on the media that our King, His Royal Majesty (Sir) King Samuel L.A. Nnee JP, Gbenemene Tai Kingdom/Paramount Ruler, Kpite Tai, has been suspended, sacked or removed by a court.
“That we have not received any paper served on our Tai Council of Chiefs and Elders, who are the owners of the stool of Gbenemene Tai, neither were we sued as parties to the suit bordering on the stool of Gbenemene Tai, which is the exclusive right of the Tai Council of Chiefs and Elders as the owners of the stool.
“That Tai Kingdom is peaceful and has been in peace ever since His Royal Majesty was selected, elected, enthroned, coronated, recognized by Rivers State Government and Staff of Office and Certificate issued.
“Also, he has been duly gazetted with the statutory instruments in line with relevant laws, custom and tradition of Tai Kingdom, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and Rivers State.”
According to the council, the stool of Gbenemene has never been in dispute, nor any contention to necessitate any induced litigation by an individual and politician.
The traditional rulers alleged that a prominent politician in the area procured a member of the Tai Council of Chiefs and Elders to do his bidding to achieve selfish economic and political intentions.
They frowned and suspended the member from the council for allegedly arrogating to himself the title of “His Royal Majesty” knowing “fully that it is criminal for him to put on a paraphernalia of an office he does not occupy.”
Also, the council announced the suspension of the politician as an ex-officio member, viewing his action against the traditional institution with “utter dismay, disdain and disheartening rascality and attempted judicial coup on Tai people.”
Members of the council also passed a vote of confidence in His Royal Majesty, King Nnee, Gbenemene Tai Kingdom/Paramount Ruler, Kpite Tai, to continue to function and perform without any fear of intimidation from any quarters.
