Governor Nyesom Wike, of Rivers state, has mocked a traditional ruler, King Onyekachi Amaonwu.
In a video seen by 9news Nigeria, Wike said the traditional ruler of Omuma LGA Rivers State is a small boy.
Wike talked down on the monarch during a quarterly meeting at the government house.
The governor had asked the traditional rulers who had their staff of office to stand up, saying it’s disrespectful for them not to carry it around.
“It’s not for you to take it (staff of office) and go and keep it in your bedroom or put it in your shrine, for those of you who worship at various shrines.
“It’s for when you are coming out for official function, you come with it. That differentiates you from any other chief.”
The monarchs responded by clapping but he interrupted them saying: ““Stop clapping. You are being selfish. Stop clapping. It’s the right thing to do. It’s not because of you because you won’t be there forever. It’s to protect the institution. So, don’t clap because you are there now.”
He continued his remarks this time around calling out one of the traditional rulers: “Stop shaking your head’ that’s sycophancy. You are one of those causing problems. They gave you chieftaincy but you are a young boy so you don’t even know what to do with it. And then when I’m speaking you are shaking your head like this because you think I will be happy.
“All fake! Fake!!. You just go and wear something that is bigger than you…when someone is looking for power… You’d think he’s an elderly person. Very small young man… this boy. I know when I was in school, he was running around us, going on errands. Now he’s dressing Usman Dan Fodio (founder of Sokoto caliphate). Then he begins to breach protocol. He thinks when he’s shaking his head like this, I’d be happy. That’s fake…that’s fake ….”
