Diri Dethrones Swali Paramount Ruler, Orders Fresh Election, Constitutes Ogboinbiri Caretaker Committee
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has approved the removal of the suspended Paramount Ruler of Swali Community, His Highness Chief Wilcox Job Seiyefa, from the Ebeniken chieftaincy stool, citing recommendations of a government fact-finding committee investigating insecurity in the community.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, during a meeting with stakeholders of Swali Community at Government House, Yenagoa.
Chief Seiyefa and the Swali Council of Chiefs were suspended on May 21, 2025, following allegations of aiding and abetting insecurity in the community. According to a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Deputy Governor, Mr. Doubara Atasi, the governor's decision to withdraw official recognition of the monarch was taken in line with Section Six of the Bayelsa State Chieftaincy Law.
Dr. Akpe explained that the fact-finding committee consulted community stakeholders and received security reports before concluding that the community's traditional leadership had failed to effectively manage the crisis.
He said the withdrawal of the monarch's Staff of Office was necessary to restore peace, order and good governance in Swali Community.
The deputy governor also directed that the process for electing a new Ebeniken should commence immediately and be concluded within three months, beginning June 30, 2026.
He disclosed that the state government would facilitate the election by setting up an electoral committee, while members of the existing caretaker committee would continue to serve until a new leadership emerges, except those intending to contest elective positions.
Dr. Akpe further directed the dethroned monarch to surrender his Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Secretary of Yenagoa Local Government Area within one month for onward transmission to the governor.
He commended the people of Epie and Atissa Kingdoms, as well as security agencies, for supporting the state's peace and security efforts, and urged traditional rulers across Bayelsa to familiarise themselves with the provisions of the Chieftaincy Law.
To oversee the election of a new paramount ruler, the state government constituted a five-member electoral committee chaired by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Chieftaincy Affairs, High Chief Bertola Perekeme. Other members are Barr. Yinkore Terimoh, Gesiye Obireke and Barr. Richard Perekeme, while Mrs. Domo-Spiff Boma will serve as secretary.
In a related development, the Bayelsa State Government inaugurated a seven-member caretaker committee to administer the affairs of Ogboinbiri Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
Mr. Monday Edugo was appointed chairman of the committee, with Dr. Moses Areprekumor serving as secretary. Other members include Barr. Francis Eseduo, Mr. Allen Okorodo, Mr. Peter Akpasi, Mr. Christian Brown and Mr. Akpu Arthur.
Inaugurating the committee, Dr. Akpe called on residents of the oil-producing community to put aside their differences and cooperate with the new leadership in the interest of lasting peace and development.
Responding on behalf of the committee, Chairman Monday Edugo thanked Governor Diri for the confidence reposed in them and pledged their commitment to restoring peace and stability in Ogboinbiri. He also appealed to the governor to lift the dusk-to-dawn curfew currently imposed on the community.
