Peace or Politics? Diri Dethrones Swali Monarch, Installs Caretaker Committee in Ogboinbiri

By Passman Akpos

The Bayelsa State Government has officially removed the suspended Paramount Ruler of Swali Community, His Highness Chief Wilcox Job Seiyefa, from the Ebeniken chieftaincy throne over allegations linked to insecurity and poor leadership in the community.

Governor Douye Diri announced the decision through his deputy, Dr. Peter Akpe, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House in Yenagoa on Tuesday.

According to a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Deputy Governor, Mr. Doubara Atasi, the governor’s action followed the recommendations of a fact-finding committee set up after the monarch and the Swali Council of Chiefs were suspended on May 21, 2025 over allegations of aiding and abetting insecurity in the community.

Dr. Akpe explained that the withdrawal of the monarch’s Staff of Office was carried out in accordance with Section Six of the Bayelsa State Chieftaincy Law, which empowers the government to take necessary actions to preserve peace, order and good governance.

He said investigations by the committee, including consultations with community stakeholders and security agencies, revealed that the traditional leadership failed to effectively manage the security challenges confronting Swali Community.

“The recommendations clearly showed that the leadership at the time was weak and unable to take firm decisions to prevent violence and insecurity. In the interest of lasting peace, Governor Douye Diri has approved the withdrawal of the Staff of Office of His Highness Chief Wilcox Job Seiyefa,” Akpe stated.

The deputy governor directed that the process for electing a new Ebeniken of Swali should begin immediately, with the election expected to be concluded within three months from June 30, 2026.

He also ordered 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.

While announcing that the existing caretaker committee would continue to oversee the affairs of the community until a new traditional ruler emerges, Akpe noted that any member intending to contest for the throne must first resign from the committee.

To oversee the selection process, the state government constituted a five-member electoral committee headed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Chieftaincy Affairs, High Chief Bertola Perekeme. Other members include Barr. Yinkore Terimoh, Gesiye Obireke, Barr. Richard Perekeme, while Mrs. Domo-Spiff Boma will serve as secretary.

The deputy governor urged traditional rulers across Bayelsa State to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Chieftaincy Law, warning that failure to uphold their responsibilities could attract similar sanctions.

In a related development, the Bayelsa State Government also inaugurated a seven-member caretaker committee to administer Ogboinbiri Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area following ongoing communal challenges.

The committee is chaired by Mr. Monday Edugo, with Dr. Moses Areprekumor serving as secretary alongside five other members.

Akpe charged the people of the oil-rich community to support the caretaker committee in restoring peace and stability.

Responding on behalf of the committee, Chairman Monday Edugo thanked Governor Diri for the confidence reposed in them and pledged to work towards lasting peace in Ogboinbiri. He, however, appealed to the governor to consider lifting the dusk-to-dawn curfew currently imposed on the community.