BREAKING NEWS: Fury in Okochiri as King Ateke Tom Disowns Alleged RTIFN Appointment, Palace Issues Final Warning
Tension is mounting in the Niger Delta following a thunderous disclaimer from the Palace of His Majesty, King Ateke Michael Tom JP, Sekuro of Niger Delta and Amayanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, over what it describes as a “false and sacrilegious” attempt to drag the monarch into partisan politics.
In a strongly worded official statement, the Palace categorically rejected claims circulating in the public space portraying King Ateke Tom as the South-South Zonal Coordinator of “Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria (RTIFN)”.
The Palace left no room for ambiguity.
His Majesty, it stated, “never accepted, never consented, and was never appointed” to serve as a coordinator or to hold any position whatsoever in RTIFN or any political formation.
The clarification follows visits by representatives of RTIFN’s National and South-South Zonal bodies to the Palace on Tuesday, February 3, and Friday, February 6, 2026. However, the Palace emphasized that those meetings were strictly courtesy visits, consistent with the Kingdom’s tradition of hospitality — and nothing more.
“At no time did His Majesty grant approval, endorsement, or authorization for the use of his name, image, title, or royal office,” the statement stressed.
The Palace described the ongoing association of the monarch with the political group as a “gross misrepresentation” and “deliberate act of deception,” warning that invoking the sacred image of the King without consent amounts to a direct affront to the Throne of Okochiri Kingdom.
In what was unequivocally labelled a final warning, the Palace directed all individuals and organisations involved to immediately cease and desist from linking His Majesty, the Throne, or the Okochiri Kingdom to RTIFN in any form.
All false publications, banners, and materials bearing the monarch’s name or image, it said, must be withdrawn without delay.
“The Throne of Okochiri Kingdom will not tolerate further misuse of royal identity or authority,” the statement concluded, adding that the Palace reserves the right to take all necessary actions to protect the sanctity, dignity, and honour of the King and the traditional institution.
The statement was signed by Chief Dr. Chris Biriowu Opuayaraya, Mouthpiece of HRM Dr. Ateke Michael Tom JP.
Political observers say the dramatic rebuttal could trigger significant backlash, as debates intensify over the boundaries between traditional institutions and partisan political movements in the region.
This is a developing story.
