Worried over the manner Hon. Chimbiko Akarolo, the Mayor of Port Harcourt City LGA has been piloting the affairs of the LGA, especially the improper handling of the crises that has rocked the council for over three months, a prominent chief in Rivers State, HRH, Chief Owabie Tobin, the Eze Onumini 1 of Port Harcourt City, has described him as childish and a disappointment to the people of Phalga.
In an exclusive interview with the Political Editor of The Newswriter at his Akokwa residence Mile 1, Port Harcourt, Chief Tobin observed that the inability of Hon. Akarolo to control the rift between him and members of the legislative assembly of the council and allowing it to get to the court has worsened the crises.
According to the royal father, the councilors were set to impeach the leader of the Phalga legislative assembly, Hon. Kingsley Amadi, for alleged incompetence in piloting the affairs of the House and for blocking their official benefits and rights in the council, but for the interference of the Mayor who supported the leader and refused to let him be impeached without proper handling of the matter, which has led to deepening the crises.
The scenario has led to the disappearance of the mace, the symbol of authority of the House.
Chief Tobin who is also the coordinator of PFON in Port Harcourt LGA, further stated that due to the enmity between him and his councilors the Mayor has refused to pay them their salaries and allowances.
The royal father recalled similar crises during the previous administration under the leadership of Chief Azubuike Nmerukini, where the councilors were set to impeach the leader of the legislative assembly, Hon. FineBoy Ichemati Tobin, but with the matured handling of the matter, the crises was resolved.
Chief Nmerukini as at then, said “how can a father like me, who is like your own fathers, allow my sons to go to court that will lead you nowhere,” and settled the matter amicably, withdrawing the matter from the court.
The royal father advised Hon. Chimbiko Akarolo to ensure that the matter is withdrawn from the court to ensure peace in the council as well as seek advices from other past mayors like Prof. Emenike Wami.
Chief Tobin who noted Hon. Chimbiko’s celebration of one year in office a couple of weeks ago, said he has nothing to celebrate because he has not executed any tangible project apart from renovation of old projects. He stressed that the only thing Chimbiko could boast of is his traveling from one country to another for nothing.
The royal father further alleged that Hon. Chimbiko Akarolo has re-established touting activities which the former mayor, Chief Azubuike Nmerukini has abolished by recruiting some touts who harassed visitors of the council collecting N25,000 as fine, alleging that the drivers parked their vehicles wrongly.
He said the touts were rude to the visitors and advised that they should have directed them properly where they should park their cars, be polite to them and not to be rude to them.
The royal father who described Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the governor of Rivers State as a father in the state, appealed to him to put his eyes on the Phalga council crises and advised Chimbiko Akarolo to dialogue with the councilors to withdraw the matter from the court to bring total peace in the council.
Attempt to clear the issues raised by the royal father from the Mayor of Port Harcourt proved abortive as Hon. Chimbiko Akarolo was absent in the office. ####
Emeka Jilly Ejiowhor
