The Etche Local Government Council has dismissed claims that the use of a separate lectern by its Chairman, Chief Chima Boniface Njoku, during Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s visit to the area constituted a breach of protocol.
The clarification was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Etche Local Government Council, Hon. Engr. Chijioke Peters, following comments and interpretations suggesting that the Chairman’s action violated established protocol.
Peters explained that Njoku was acting in his capacity as the Chief Executive and host of the local government, adding that his delivery of a welcome address to the Governor, his entourage, distinguished guests and stakeholders was part of the official programme.
According to him, the use of a lectern during the address was primarily for orderly event management, visibility, audibility and ceremonial presentation.
“The mere use of a lectern by a host official does not, in itself, confer equality of rank with the Governor, diminish the Governor’s precedence or amount to an assumption of unwanted privileges,” he said.
The council secretary stressed that the local government administration under Njoku held the office of the Governor of Rivers State in high regard and recognised the constitutional, political and ceremonial precedence attached to the office.
He said nothing in the Chairman’s conduct was intended to compete with, diminish or derogate from the dignity of Governor Fubara or the office he occupies.
Peters, however, argued that the claim that it was inherently against protocol for a local government chairman to use a separate lectern to deliver a scheduled welcome address in the presence of the Governor required a specific protocol directive or authority.
He described contrary interpretations as the antics of “crisis merchants,” insisting that, in the absence of such a directive, the use of a separate lectern should not automatically be interpreted as an act of disrespect or breach of protocol.
“Accordingly, Etche Local Government Council respectfully maintains that the mere fact that the Executive Chairman used a separate Local Government lectern to deliver his official welcome address should not, standing alone, be construed as a breach of protocol,” he said.
The council reaffirmed its commitment to public service, institutional discipline and respect for constituted authority.
It also appealed to the public to view the circumstances of the event objectively and avoid attaching unintended meanings to an action it said was undertaken solely in the discharge of the Chairman’s responsibility as host.
The council further pledged to continue according Governor Fubara and all constituted authorities the honour, dignity and protocol appropriate to their respective offices.
