Bayelsa: Diri Dethrones Traditional Ruler over Insecurity

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has approved the removal of the paramount ruler of Swali community, His Highness, Chief Wilcox Job Seiyefa, from his Ebeniken chieftaincy throne over insecurity in his domain. Chief Seiyefa and his council were in May last year suspended by Governor Diri, over his son’s alleged involvement in crises in […]

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has approved the removal of the paramount ruler of Swali community, His Highness, Chief Wilcox Job Seiyefa, from his Ebeniken chieftaincy throne over insecurity in his domain.

Chief Seiyefa and his council were in May last year suspended by Governor Diri, over his son’s alleged involvement in crises in the Swali community.

Swali community, hosting key federal and state government offices, was affected by cult-related killings and clashes last year before the state government’s intervention.

Governor Diri, who announced the dethronement of the traditional ruler through his deputy, Dr Peter Akpe, during a meeting with stakeholders of Swali Community in Government House, Yenagoa, on Tuesday, said the removal of the paramount ruler was based on recommendations from a fact-finding committee.

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The Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Deputy Governor, Mr Doubara Atasi, in a statement after the meeting, recalled that the dethroned Ebeniken alongside his Council of Chiefs was suspended by the state government on the 21st of May, 2025 following allegations bordering on aiding and abetting insecurity.

Announcing the withdrawal of recognition of the Ebeniken stool, the Deputy Governor said the action was in line with Section Six of the state’s Chieftaincy Law, especially in the area of maintaining peace, order and good governance in the state.

According to him, the Governor had directed that the process of electing a new paramount ruler, which he described as a major and important community, must commence immediately and be completed within three months.

He said, “The fact-finding committee engaged various stakeholders in the Swali Community, and also got advice from security agencies on the way forward.

“From the recommendations of the committee, following their findings, it is clear that, as 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.

“So, 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 Government will facilitate the election of a new paramount ruler in the Swali Community by setting up an electoral committee, and the election must be conducted within three months starting from 30th of June, 2026.”

The Deputy Governor, however, clarified that all members of the existing caretaker committee would continue to function until a new leadership emerges, except any member who may have interest to contest for any of the elective offices.

Citing relevant provisions of the Chieftaincy Law, he also directed the dethroned paramount ruler to submit the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office in his possession to the Secretary of the Yenagoa Local Government Area, who will in turn transmit them to the Governor, not later than one month from the 30th June, 2026.

Dr Akpe, who thanked the people of Epie and kingdoms as well as security agencies for supporting the government’s peace and security efforts, called on all traditional rulers to keep themselves abreast with the provisions of the Chieftaincy Law to avoid unpleasant consequences.

Meanwhile, following the directive of Governor Douye Diri, a five-member electoral committee has been constituted to midwife the process of electing a new Ebeniken of Swali.

The committee, which is headed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Chieftaincy Affairs, High Chief Bertola Perekeme, has Barr. Yinkore Terimoh, Gesiye Obireke and Barr. Richard Perekeme as members, while Mrs Domo-Spiff Boma is to serve as Secretary.

In a related development, the state government on Tuesday also set up a seven-man caretaker committee to pilot the affairs of Ogboinbiri Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Monday Edugo is chairman of the committee while Dr Moses Areprekumor is secretary with Barr. Francis Eseduo, Mr Allen Okorodo, Mr Peter Akpasi, Mr Christian Brown and Mr Akpu Arthur to serve as members.

Inaugurating the Committee, the Deputy Governor urged people of the oil and gas-rich Ogboinbiri to sink their differences and work cooperatively with the committee to achieve lasting peace in the community.