Before this time, Kalabari ethnic nationality has only one Chieftaincy Council known as the Kalabari Council of Chiefs under the leadership of King Amachree. Recent events within and outside the Kalabari Chiefs’ Council show that all is not well.
The Kalabari Council of Chiefs has been divided as series of splinter chieftaincy groups such as Cernorsia Council of Chiefs, Kula Council of Chiefs, Buguma Council of Chiefs, Akulga Council of Chiefs and Traditional Rulers, Abonnema Council of Chiefs and several other Chiefs’ Councils existing across the length and breadth of the Kalabari kingdom.
Barely two (2) weeks ago some Chiefs from Asari-Toru Local Government Area met in one of the hotels in Port Harcourts, and brainstormed for no fewer than three (3) hours. Top on the agenda of the meeting was formation of Asalga Council of Chiefs and Traditional Rulers.
According to reliable sources, in no distant time, the Asalga Council of Chiefs and Traditional Rulers would be inaugurated. The chairman of the proposed Chiefs’ Council has been zoned to Horsfall/West Group of Houses.
Thus if this formation took place it would dampened the efficacy of the Kalabari Council of Chiefs under the able leadership of HM King (Prof.) T.J.T Princewill, Amachree XI.
The reason for the proliferation of the Chieftaincy Councils within the Kalabari communities is yet to be identified. But sources attributed it to the leadership style of King Amachree XI, the Amanyanabo of Kalabari kingdom. Chiefs from the famous communities that made up the kingdom have become uncomfortable with the traditional administration pattern of the retired University don.
Precisely, November 22, 2011 the Cennorsia Council of Chiefs, Asalga sent a petition to the Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. The petition was tagged, “Petition over the mal-administration of the chieftaincy institution in Asalga vis-à-vis the Kalabari kingdom and infringement of the fundamental human/customary rights of the members of Cernnosia Council of Chiefs, Rivers State by HM king (Prof.) T.J.T Pricewill, JP (Amachree XI), Amanyanabo of Kalabari kingdom”.
In the said petition, the Cernnosia Council of Chiefs expressed anger the way and the manner, the Kalabari monarch is interfering with the internal affairs of the fourteen (14) communities under it.
The petition was duely and jointly signed by HRH Dr. D. E. Tobin-West, High Chief (Dr.) Anderson O. Ikiriko, Engr (Chief) Monima Ekine, Chief Daye B. Dappa (JP), Chief W. S. Wariboko (JP).
Others are: Sir. Alabo Davies A. Alaliye-Sokari, Daiyi Iyibo Ginah JP, Chief Ndokiari Soberekon, Chief Aku Janewari and Chief Dumo Black George.
The petition reads in part: Sir, we the members of CENNORSIA COUNCIL OF CHIEFS in Asari/Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State are caused to present to you with heavy heart and frustration the oppressive, vindictive and slave driven leadership of HM King (Prof.) T.J.T Princewill, JP (Amachree XI), Amanyanabo of Kalabari kingdom. CENNORSIA Council of Chiefs is a council made up of all the paramount rulers under the garb Highnesses/Regents and Chiefs of fourteen (14) communities out of fifteen (15) communities consisting Asari/Toru Local Government Area. Each of the communities is distinct, separate and autonomous as the other including Buguma as a result the Paramount Rulers of each of these communities are all equal. The Amanyanabo of Kalabari is the first among equals”.
The Cennorsia Chiefs’ Council went on to say that “the Amanyanabo of Kalabari had since ostracized Abonnema, Bakana, Degema and Tombia from the Kalabari National Assembly,” and pleaded with the governor to intervene and save them from what they called “traditional sacrilege, oppressive, traumatizing and dehumanizing leadership of HM King (Prof.) T.J.T Princewill, JP (Amachree XI)” Our investigation shown that if the Amanyanabo of Kalabari failed to act fast, very soon his kingdom would be disintegrated into smaller and distinct “Kingdoms,” which will not go down well with the needed progress of the Kalabari nation”. #
