By Egufe Yafugborhi

PORT HARCOURT— EX-MILITANT warlord- turned traditional ruler,  HRM,  King Ateke Tom, Amayanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, has pledged his domain’s support for for the second term bid of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State to reciprocate his elevation as second class monarch.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wik

Wike, barely one month after he crowned Ateke as King of Okochiri, Okrika Local Government Area of the state, made good his promise to elevate the ex-militant leader to a second class king status, a gesture considered unprecedented in the kingdom.

In a statement  by Samuel Iyoyo, Chairman, Publicity Committee of the kingdom, King Ateke said: “It is the benevolence of the governor that has made it possible for the kingdom to achieve this feat barely a month after my coronation”

Chairman, Koniju Council of Chiefs, Chris Opuayaraya, called on Governor Wike to “make himself available to contest Rivers State governorship in 2019 and bring more development to all parts  of the state.”

The kingdom also thanked former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, for her support for the development of Okichiri Kingdom, promising to ensure that peace reigns in the kingdom.