Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has told traditional rulers in the state to maintain neutrality, ensure fairness and uphold peace in their domains as the country enters the active political season ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Fubara stated this while declaring open the 126th,  127th and 128th Combined Quarterly Meeting of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

The governor said the primary function of traditional rulers is to administer justice and ensure fairness, saying their conduct must not lead to division and unmanageable crises.

“Let me therefore, request, if that is the right word to use, that please, as we are entering into this political season actively, everyone should ensure that your conduct promotes peace in your place.

“Your actions should not be what would lead to the division and multiple crisis that we cannot manage as a government.

“I  think with that, we can all live as one and we can also continue to make this progress that we are trying with all our mind, our body and our soul, to ensure that we deliver  to our dear state,” he said.

Fubara urged  the royal fathers to abide by the oath and constitution they swore to before ascending their respective stools, in the interest of the  stability and progress of Rivers State.

He also enjoined them to set aside individual sentiments and place the interest of Rivers State above personal considerations, noting that this principle has guided his own day-to-day governance of the state.

“This is not just what I’m saying here, it is what I’ve also practiced and displayed in my day-to-day life in the governance of our dear state,” he said.

On the  appeal for improved welfare  for the  traditional rulers, Fubara clarified that the delay in actualising some of the requests they made  in the past was not from the government but from the inability of the council to put its house in order.

Fubara explained that the issue of stipends paid to the traditional rulers by the Local Government Councils,  was a statutory benefit provided for in the constitution and not what a state governor can change by mere verbal  pronouncements.

The governor assured them that he remains a man of his word and would fulfill his promises to the traditional rulers before leaving the office, next year.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom, HRM  Chike Amadi Worlu Wodo,  expressed gratitude to the state government for its efforts in  maintaining a cordial relationship with the traditional institution.

Eze Wodo highlighted the importance of traditional rulers in conflict resolution, noting that their closeness to the people places them in a strategic position to mediate in  disputes involving chieftaincy matters, family disputes and  land ownership in their respective communities.