Port Harcourt Socials@PH_Socials
Rebisi Leaders Reject Waterfront Ownership Claims, Condemn Unauthorized Installation of Chiefs in Port Harcourt
— Nkpolu Rugburodo Council Sets Record Straight on Rumuoji Lands, Urges Respect for History and Due Process.
The Nkpolu Rumuoji Leaders Council of Rebisi Kingdom has issued a formal rebuttal rejecting claims of ownership over certain waterfront areas in Rumuoji, Port Harcourt, and condemning what it described as the unlawful installation of traditional chiefs by unauthorized persons.
In a statement read out and released on May 1, 2026, the council dismissed assertions by individuals of Kalabari extraction; particularly Mr. Taribo Benson, who is said to be laying claim to the Abonema Wharf axis; as unfounded and inconsistent with historical and legal records.
The council also addressed counterclaims associated with the Wakirike National Congress, maintaining that no external group holds ancestral ownership over any part of Rumuoji community within the Rebisi Kingdom.
According to the leaders, the reference to “Abonema Wharf” is purely geographical, indicating a transit point for travelers, and does not confer ownership or ancestral rights.
They emphasized that the land in question remains historically tied to the Rebisi people of Port Harcourt.
To support their position, the council cited documented history, colonial records, and judicial pronouncements, including references to the 1913 Hargrove Agreement and Supreme Court rulings which, they stated, recognize certain settlers as customary tenants under Rebisi ownership.
The statement further noted that attempts to reinterpret the history of Port Harcourt or assign alternative identities to established communities are inconsistent with available records and long-standing traditions.
On the issue of chieftaincy, the council reaffirmed that the authority to install chiefs within Port Harcourt City Local Government Area rests solely with recognized traditional institutions, in line with the laws of Rivers State and the customs of the Rebisi people.
They urged individuals and groups involved to refrain from actions that may disregard historical facts or established legal frameworks, emphasizing the importance of due process and mutual respect among communities.
The council also called on the Rivers State Government and relevant authorities to ensure that established laws and traditional systems are upheld.
The statement was endorsed by several traditional rulers and community leaders across Rumuoji in Rebisi and adjoining areas, reflecting a unified position on the matter.
📝Dez Mayorz Report.
01/05/2026.