RismadarVoice Reporters
August 19, 2026
The Etche Local Government Council has clarified that the use of a separate lectern by its Executive Chairman, Chief Hon. Chima Boniface Njoku, during the recent visit of Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, did not constitute a breach of protocol.
The clarification followed comments and interpretations suggesting that the Chairman’s use of a lectern while delivering his welcome address was contrary to established protocol.
In a statement signed by the Secretary to Etche Local Government Council, Hon. Engr. Chijioke Peters, the council said the Chairman was performing his customary responsibility as the host Chief Executive of the local government by formally welcoming the Governor, his entourage, distinguished guests and other stakeholders to Etche.
According to the statement, the delivery of a welcome address by the host Chairman was consistent with the programme of an official gubernatorial visit, while the use of a lectern was primarily for orderly event management, visibility, audibility and ceremonial presentation.
The council stressed that the use of a separate lectern by the Chairman did not confer equality of rank with the Governor, diminish the Governor’s precedence or amount to an assumption of privileges reserved for the office of the Governor.
It reaffirmed the council’s respect for the office of the Governor and the constitutional, political and ceremonial precedence attached to it.
The statement said nothing in the Chairman’s conduct was intended to compete with, diminish or undermine the dignity of Governor Fubara or the office he occupies.
The council further argued that the use of a separate lectern by a host Chairman to deliver a scheduled welcome address should not automatically be interpreted as disrespect or a protocol violation in the absence of a specific directive prohibiting such practice.
It therefore appealed to the public to view the circumstances objectively and avoid attaching unintended meanings to the Chairman’s action.
Etche Local Government Council reaffirmed its commitment to public service, institutional discipline and respect for constituted authority, assuring Governor Fubara and other authorities of its continued regard for the dignity and protocol appropriate to their offices.
