Tombia Ethnic Nationality in Rivers State has called on the newly installed King of Elem-Kalabari, King Alhaji Asari Dokubo, to eschew actions that would spark an inter-ethnic crisis between them, Tombia People, and the Kalabari Kingdom in Degema Local Government Area of the state.

Tombia People also clarified that they are not Kalabari people and not an annexe of the Kingdom, calling on the Governor of the State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, to give due recognition to Tombia Stools.

The Chief and Elders of the community made these calls in Port Harcourt, yesterday while addressing pressmen on issues affecting them, Tombia Kingdom, in recent development as regards chieftaincy in Kalabari Kingdom.

Speaking, the Vice Chairman of Tombia Council of Chiefs, Chief Peniel Omubo-Idonibo, congratulated King Dokubo for emerging as the King Elem-Kalabari, and the governor of the state for recognising him with a second-class status.

But, Omubo-Idonibo urged Dokubo to use his office to encourage peace among the Tombia and the Kalabari people and not to be involved in actions that would spark a crisis in the area.

He said: ?The Government of Rivers State recently gave recognition to Alhaji Asari Dokubo as the King of Elem-Kalabari on a second-class status. We want to use this opportunity to congratulate the new King and wish him all the best.

?As we do so with all sincerity, we are also using this medium to appeal to the king to use his exalted position to kindly cement the old good and tested relationship that had existed between the Tombia and Kalabari Kingdom over the the years. We are appealing to him not to engage himself in things that might subvert or ruin that good relationship.?

Omubo-Idonibo noted that the Tombia people have observed that Dokubo has in recent meetings in Kalabari invited Tombia people, but regretted that in one of the meetings at Elem-Kalabari, Dukobo claimed that his kingdom, Kalabari owned some notable areas which he said belonged to Tombia people.

He noted that no community in Tombia is an annexe of Kalabari, adding that Tombia is a close friend of Kalabari, even as he called on the Governor of the state to recognise the Tombia Stools that elevated to second class in 1979.

Omubo-Idonibo said: ?The ultimate purpose of this press conference is for peace, unity and brotherliness to reign in the Kingdoms of Tombia and Kalabari.

?We therefore once again appeal to the king of Elem-Kalabari to use his position to promote peace, unity and brotherliness as his predecessors did for the benefit of all of us. Tombia are friends of Kalabari and can never be enemies, but let us accord ourselves respect.

?We are, therefore, calling on the Governor of the state, Sir Siminialayi Fubara to kindly call to order Alhaji Asari Dokubo whom he most recently lol recognised as king of Elem-Kalabari not to toy with the people of Tombia Kingdom by trying to annex the communities and settlements of Tombia to Kalabari,? he said. (Vanguard)

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