Bayelsa Governor Dethrones Suspended Monarch Over Insecurity

Agorehmi Bright Reporting 

BAYELSA State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has officially approved the removal of the suspended paramount ruler of Swali community, His Highness Chief Wilcox Job Seiyefa, from the Ebeniken chieftaincy throne, citing a weak leadership that fostered violence and insecurity.

Governor Diri announced the decision through his deputy, Dr Peter Akpe, during a stakeholder meeting with community leaders at the Government House in Yenagoa on Tuesday. The move follows recommendations submitted by a fact-finding committee that investigated the monarch’s conduct.

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Deputy Governor, Mr Doubara Atasi, recalled that the dethroned Ebeniken and his council of chiefs were initially suspended by the state government on 21st May 2025 over allegations of aiding and abetting insecurity within the community.

Announcing the withdrawal of recognition, the deputy governor emphasised that the action was in line with Section 6 of the state’s chieftaincy law, particularly regarding the maintenance of peace, order and good governance.

“The fact-finding committee engaged various stakeholders in Swali community and also sought advice from security agencies on the way forward,” Dr Akpe stated. “From the committee’s recommendations, it is clear that, at the time those actions causing violence and insecurity were taken, the leadership was weak and not firm enough to take decisions to manage the situation.”

He continued: “Following the recommendations and the provisions of the state chieftaincy law, His Excellency, the governor, has approved the withdrawal of the staff of office of His Highness, Chief Wilcox Job Seiyefa, the suspended paramount ruler of Swali community, in the interest of peace.”

The deputy governor directed that the process of electing a new paramount ruler must commence immediately and be concluded within three months, starting from 30th June 2026. He clarified that all members of the existing caretaker committee would continue to function until a new leadership emerges, except for any member who may wish to contest for elective offices.

Citing relevant provisions of the chieftaincy law, Dr Akpe also ordered the dethroned monarch to submit his certificate of recognition and staff of office to the Secretary of the Yenagoa Local Government Area within one month from 30th June 2026, for onward transmission to the governor.

The deputy governor thanked the people of Epie Kingdom and security agencies for their support of the government’s peace efforts and called on all traditional rulers to familiarise themselves with the chieftaincy law to avoid unpleasant consequences.

Electoral Committee Constituted

In line with the governor’s directive, a five-member electoral committee has been established to oversee the election of a new Ebeniken of Swali. The committee is chaired by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Chieftaincy Affairs, High Chief Bertola Perekeme, with Barr. Yinkore Terimoh, Gesiye Obireke and Barr. Richard Perekeme serving as members, while Mrs Domo-Spiff Boma will act as secretary.

Caretaker Committee for Ogboinbiri Community

In a related development, the state government on Tuesday also inaugurated a seven-man caretaker committee to pilot the affairs of Ogboinbiri community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area. Mr Monday Edugo heads the committee, with Dr Moses Areprekumor as secretary, alongside members Barr. Francis Eseduo, Mr Allen Okorodo, Mr Peter Akpasi, Mr Christian Brown and Mr Akpu Arthur.

Inaugurating the committee, the deputy governor urged the people of the oil and gas-rich Ogboinbiri community to set aside their differences and cooperate with the committee to achieve lasting peace.

In his acceptance speech, committee chairman Mr Monday Edugo expressed gratitude to the state government for the confidence reposed in them and assured of their commitment to restoring enduring peace and stability. However, he appealed to Governor Diri to lift the prevailing dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed on the community.