There is palpable tension in Abalama community in Rivers state as some supporters of the minister of the federal capital territory, Nyesom Wike are grumbling and spoiling for war over the cancellation of their planned grand reception for the minister, on Saturday, by the paramount ruler of the community, HRH King Dr. A. B. Big Tom jp, the Amayanabo viii of Abalama community
In a letter notifying the Commissioner of Police, Rivers state cmmand of the development, the monarch, said he became aware of the upcoming event via facebook on the 12th of March, 2025 and he thinks it is a slap on his face as paramount ruler of the riverine community.
”To my greatest surprise and without my knowledge and consent, information is all over on social media, radio and television concerning the event.
”I am not partisan. Abalama is a peaceful community and the lives of my people are very important to me therefore I and my people dissociates ourselves from the said event because we are not aware of the recent update.
”I think I was deceived with the letter I received earlier from Dr. D:A Kelly, not knowing it was a different event that is upcoming”, he stated.
The paramount ruler explained that sometime in Febuary 2025, he had a courtesy visit from the personal assistant and one other person who visited him in his palace and gave him a letter dated 17th January, 2025, captioned: ” Notification of my Upcoming Thanksgiving Service”, written by Dr. D:A:Kelly, which he acknowledged and waiting for his response till date.
According to him, in that letter, he (Kelly) specifically stated that the event was for his personal thanksgiving service with respect to the appointment given to him by President Bola Tinubu.
The monarch further said that while the recent political issues in the state were beginning to raise alarm, he drew Kelly’s attention via a text messgage after he gave him several calls without response to the fact that the thanksgiving service event be put on hold since the date is not yet fixed, considering the political tension in the state and security of his people.
He also said that his council of chiefs and himself resolved that no political activity should be held in Abalama because of the on-going political crisis in the state and that he made a radio announcement to that effect.
He maintained that from the foregoing it was obvious the letter dated 17th January 2025 was not intended to cover the event slated on the 15th of March, 2025.
HRH Big-Tom disclosed that his people have resolved that the organisers of the event should take it anywhere of their choice.
