Prominent Rivers Monarch Rejects Wike’s Thanksgiving Service In His Domain, Cites Political Tension
In a letter to the state police commissioner, dated March 12, 2025, the monarch expressed shock at just learning about the event on Facebook despite being the paramount ruler of Abalama.
The Amayanabo of Abalama, King Dr. A. B. Big Tom Tom JP, has rejected a planned Thanksgiving Service and Civic Reception in honour of Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, citing political tension and security concerns.
In a letter to the state police commissioner, dated March 12, 2025, the monarch expressed shock at just learning about the event on Facebook despite being the paramount ruler of Abalama.
He recalled that in February 2025, Dr. D. A. Kelly, a known ally of Wike, had visited him with a letter dated January 17, 2025, notifying him of a personal thanksgiving service.
However, he later realised that the event was something entirely different.
He wrote: “I, HRH King Dr. A. B. Big Tom Tom JP, Amayanabo VIII of Abalama community, on behalf of the council of chiefs and members of Abalama write to inform you of the present state of affairs in Abalama.
“In view of the above subject matter I became aware of the upcoming event that will take place in my own community via Facebook on the 12th day of March, 2025, where I am the paramount head and custodian of the people of Abalama which I think is a slap on my face.
“To my greatest surprise and without my knowledge and consent information is all over on social media, radio and television, concerning the event.
“Sometime in February 2025 I had a courtesy visit from the personal assistant and one other person who visited me in my palace and gave me a letter dated 17th January, 2025 captioned “Notification of my upcoming thanksgiving service” written by Dr. D. A Kelly, FNIQS and I acknowledged the letter waiting for his response till date.
“In that letter, he specifically stated the event was for his personal thanksgiving service with respect to the appointment given to him by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. While the recent political issues in the state were beginning to raise alarm, I drew his attention via a text message after I 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 my people.”
The monarch made it clear that the community had already decided against any political gathering due to the ongoing crisis in Rivers State, saying, “I and my council of chiefs also resolved that no political activity should be held in Abalama because of the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State and I made a radio announcement to that effect.”
Expressing his frustration over the lack of communication from Kelly, who now serves as the Director-General of the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA), the monarch said the announcement noted: “Why I’m sending you this message is because I called you and your PA severally in order to inform you of the latest development but no response. I’m very conscious of insecurity because of my old age & for the safety of my people.”
Declaring Abalama a non-partisan community, the king stated, “I and my people disassociate 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, FNIQS, not knowing it was a different event that is upcoming.”
He urged the Commissioner of Police to take immediate action, warning that the organisers had no right to proceed without his approval.
“Abalama is an autonomous Community with a King and nobody has the right to organize such an event without my knowledge and the consent of my council of chiefs,” he emphasised.
The monarch concluded by reaffirming the community’s stance. “I and my people have resolved that the organisers of the event should take the event to anywhere of their choice,” he said, making it clear that Abalama would not be part of it.
