Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Governing Board of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC), Rt. Hon. Prince Chibudom Nwuche, has appealed to the Federal Government to grant amnesty to repentant cultists and militant youths in the Orashi region of Rivers State who have chosen to lay down their arms, renounce violence and embrace a normal and productive life.

The Orashi region comprises Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Abua/Odual and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.

Nwuche said many youths in the area, following appeals and advice from concerned leaders, were now prepared to lay down their arms and abandon violent and criminal activities, stressing that such persons should be given an opportunity to reform, become productive and reintegrate into society.

Nwuche made the appeal while speaking through his representative, Chief Kingdom Ajugo, at a large gathering of Ekpeye people during the commencement of the 2026 Upata Folklore (Ele) traditional celebrations at Ula Upata in Ahoada East Local Government Area on Tuesday, 22 September 2026.

The former Deputy Speaker expressed concern that Ahoada, which was once a thriving divisional headquarters, had become a shadow of its former self because of insecurity.

He said the Orashi region, particularly Ekpeye land, had witnessed severe killings and various forms of criminality in recent times.

Nwuche recalled the gruesome killing of the then serving Divisional Police Officer, late CSP Bako Amgbashim and paid glowing tribute to the late police officer, describing him as a dedicated, intelligent and gallant officer. He regretted the circumstances in which his life was tragically cut short.

He said several letters of appeal had been written to the Rivers State Government on the need for an amnesty programme for repentant youths, but that no action had yet been taken.

Nwuche therefore appealed to the Federal Government, through the Office of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to consider granting amnesty to repentant cultists and violent youths in the affected communities, with appropriate measures for their engagement, rehabilitation, reorientation and reintegration.

He urged Ekpeye youths still involved in criminal activities, including cultism, robbery, kidnapping and assault against women, to immediately abandon such activities and embrace legitimate and meaningful means of livelihood.

“Those who are still carrying guns and killing our people indiscriminately should stop and accept amnesty and be ready to be reintegrated into society,” he said.

Nwuche noted that Ekpeye people were predominantly farmers and traders and should therefore be able to go about their legitimate daily activities without molestation, harassment or fear.

He said Ekpeye had lost hundreds of people over the years as a result of cultism and related violence, stressing that the situation must come to an end.

He further declared that Ekpeye land could no longer continue to serve as a haven for cultists and criminals, and called for concerted efforts by traditional rulers, community leaders, government and the people to restore peace and security to the area.

Nwuche urges Ekpeye monarchs to lead with dignity

Nwuche also used the occasion to urge the kings of Ekpeye Kingdom at all levels to lead with dignity and uphold the tradition of exemplary leadership associated with past monarchs.

He cited the late Eze Edmund Ashirm, Eze Robinson O. Robinson and Eze C. C. Nwuche, among others, whom he said had made their marks in Rivers State, the Niger Delta and beyond as respected and dignified leaders of their people.

He emphasised that Ekpeye was one and called on all kings, chiefs and people of the kingdom to rally around one another and project and defend the common interests of Ekpeye for peace, unity and prosperity.

Nwuche expressed profound appreciation to His Royal Majesty, Eze (Dr.) Felix E. Otuwarikpo, JP, the Eze Igbu Upata III, for sustaining the age-old annual tradition and heritage of the Upata Folklore (Ele), which he said had been bequeathed to the people by their forefathers.

He urged all sons and daughters of Upata Kingdom to rally around the monarch and give him their cooperation and support, stressing that Ekpeye was one and that unity should remain the watchword despite differences.

He noted that since ascending the throne, Eze Felix Otuwarikpo had demonstrated outstanding fortitude and resilience in advancing the interests of Upata Kingdom and had defended the cause of Upata with determination and vigour.

Nwuche said the people of Upata should be grateful to Almighty God for giving them a worthy and befitting monarch who, he said, could proudly represent the kingdom anywhere in the world.

Nwuche also recalled the long-standing request for the elevation of the Eze Igbu Upata stool to first-class status, arguing that Upata, being the largest subgroup in Ekpeye, deserved such recognition.

He said previous administrations of former Governors Peter Odili and Rotimi Amaechi did not grant the request, but that the administration of former Governor Nyesom Wike eventually elevated the Upata stool, alongside six others, to first-class status.

According to him, the development brought to reality a dream associated with the late Eze C. C. Nwuche.

On politics, Nwuche reminded the people that the 2027 general elections were approaching and that intense political campaigns would soon commence. PoliticalNews Subscription

He urged the people of Ekpeye to use their votes wisely, saying he owed the people a responsibility to provide guidance.

“We have seen and known all those seeking our votes, and I will therefore urge you not to waste your votes but to support those who have shown attention and developed Ekpeye land,” he said.

Nwuche said, according to his assessment, every Ekpeye son and daughter had witnessed what he described as massive and unprecedented infrastructural and human-capital development in Ekpeye land during the tenure of the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, during his tenure as Governor of Rivers State,

He cited various projects executed by the Wike administration and said the development recorded during the period remained significant in the history of the area.

Nwuche reiterated that, at the appropriate time, he would go round the entire Ekpeye and Orashi region to galvanise support for the Wike-led Rainbow Coalition.

He said: “That is where our development lies, judging by what Nyesom Wike did for us when he was governor, I have the confidence that he will influence more development for our people.”

The former Deputy Speaker also advised the people of Ekpeye to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term and vote for candidates of the Rainbow Coalition led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike.

EZE OTUWARIKPO DECLARES FOLKLORE OPEN

Earlier, the Paramount Ruler of Upata Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Eze (Dr.) Felix E. Otuwarikpo, declared the 2026 Upata Folklore (Ele) open.

The monarch said the annual celebration was a celebration of the culture, heritage and identity of the Upata people and a tradition that had endured for many generations and welcomed the mass attendance and enthusiasm shown by the people.

He explained that the celebration traditionally comes after the harvest and provides an opportunity for the people to come together in thanksgiving, love, unity and hospitality.

The event was attended by representatives of the chairmen of Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas, traditional rulers, chiefs, community leaders, the Ada Upata, as well as women, youth and student groups from across Upata Kingdom and friends of kingdom.

The Upata Folklore (Ele), which comes after the harvest, is a period during which the people celebrate love and unity while demonstrating the hospitality and cultural heritage of the Ekpeye people.

Gifts were presented to the Eze Igbu Upata III and the Council of Chiefs by the former Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Prince Chibudom Nwuche, the Ada Upata, High Chief Gift Mercy, and other individuals and groups.

The celebration also featured cultural displays and traditional dances by different groups as well as goodwill speeches by sons and daughters of Ekpeye kingdom

The climax of the event was the presentation of gifts to visitors, women, youths, students and other participants by the Eze Igbu Upata III. (The Nation)