A former Niger Delta agitator turned traditional ruler, Asari Dokubo, has accused organizers of the reception held in honour of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, in Abalama, Asari-Toru Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State of staging the event as a calculated plot to incite violence and implicate him as the mastermind.
Asari, who is a state-recognized monarch of Torusarama Piri (Elem Kalabari), made this claim in a statement released by his palace spokesman, Daerefa-a Braide.
The statement, issued after an interview with journalists on Saturday, alleged that intelligence reports had forewarned of a deliberate attempt to provoke a crisis and blame his private security guards, known as Royal Fouche Security Services Ltd for the unrest.
According to Asari, he had earlier gone live on social media to expose the alleged plot and had also withdrawn his security personnel, who were providing surveillance along the volatile Emohua-Kalabari Road, to avoid any escalation.
“We heard rumors that some Kalabari people working with the FCT Minister were planning a reception for him. But beneath this so-called reception was a scheme to entangle us; the Royal Fouche Security Services, in a premeditated crisis, where they had intended to attack themselves and falsely accuse us of instigating the violence.
“I went live and alerted the world about this sinister plot orchestrated by Wike’s supporters,” he stated.
The monarch, also known by his traditional title Dabaye Amakiri I, questioned why the event organizers disregarded the warnings of the traditional ruler of Abalama, who had advised against the reception due to security concerns.
He asserted that such disregard hinted at ulterior motives behind the gathering.
Asari strongly condemned the actions of security agents who used teargas and force against unarmed women protesting against Wike’s visit, including his younger sister, Boma Goodhead, a serving member of the House of Representatives.
“These women merely expressed their displeasure over Wike’s reckless statement belittling the entire Ijaw Nation, yet they were met with violence. Such actions are unacceptable,” he said.
He described Wike’s statements about the Ijaw people as reckless, provocative, and deeply unfortunate.
The monarch warned that the Ijaw people, who make up nine of Rivers State’s 23 local government areas, have taken note of Wike’s derogatory remarks and would respond appropriately when the time comes.
“I do not wish to dwell on these matters, but let me be clear—if Wike continues down this path, what he is looking for, I pray it does not happen because if it does, let him gather all his forces Ijaw people are equal to the task, we will vanquish all of them put together.”
The Amanyanabo lashed out at Ijaw politicians aligned with Wike and warned that a “day of reckoning” awaits those who sold out their people for personal gain.
He traced Wike’s political rise to the benevolence of Ijaw figures such as Marshal Harry and Patience Jonathan, accusing Wike of allegedly betraying everyone who helped him attain power.
Asari further advised President Bola Tinubu to be wary of Wike, describing him as a serial betrayer.
“Tinubu must watch his back. Many daggers are aimed at him. Let him not end up like Julius Caesar, crying ‘Et tu, Brute?’”
On the political crisis in Rivers State, the monarch criticized the Supreme Court, accusing it of judicial overreach and stressing that Rivers people would reject any ruling that contradicts the Constitution.
“The Supreme Court has turned into Santa Claus, handing out rulings on cases it has no jurisdiction over, creating unnecessary crises in Rivers State,” he said.
He questioned the hasty enforcement of the “controversial” judgment that led to the removal of local government chairmen, blaming Governor Siminalayi Fubara for implementing it too quickly.
“Yes, the Supreme Court is final, but what happens when it oversteps its jurisdiction? It has no authority over local government elections. That power ends at the High Court.”
He also accused the apex court of preemptively ruling on the defection of 27 House of Assembly members, a matter still pending at a lower court.
“The Supreme Court ruled on a matter it was never asked to decide on. The defection case is still ongoing at the court of first instance, yet the Supreme Court imposed its judgment. This contradicts legal precedents, including the Plateau case where defectors lost their seats.
“We have always been told that courts do not give judgments on matters not before them. But today, the Supreme Court has become Father Christmas, handing out rulings like gifts.
He dismissed Wike’s threats, calling them empty bluster.
