Politics
Bayelsa Traditional Ruler’s Purported Removal Sparks Controversy
By David Owei,Bayelsa
Controversy has emerged in Bayelsa State surrounding the alleged removal of HRH Chief Ododo Francis Timi (Ike VIII), the third-class Paramount Ruler of Ikebiri 1 Community, headquarters of Apoi/Olodiama Rural Development Authority in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
Community sources say the security situation in the community has remained tense, with calls for state government’s intervention to prevent further escalation, alleging that Chief Joshua Maciver, Coordinator of Tompo’s Tantita Security Services and ex-militant leader, has been implicated in the purported unlawful removal of HRH Chief Ododo Francis Timi (Ike VIII), the Amananawei of Ikebiri Kingdom, informing that Community youths linked to Tantita Security Services allegedly carried out the removal.
According to reports, the removal was supervised by Chief Maciver’s Chief of Staff, Mr. Timi Igoli, in Ikebiri 1, on Saturday, July 26, in the presence of military and civil defence personnel attached to Tantita Security Services in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
“Chief Joshua Maciver, a former running mate to ex-Governor Timipre Sylva in the 2023 Bayelsa State governorship poll, has been embroiled in a controversy as the Bayelsa State Coordinator of Tompo’s Tantita Security Services,” lady who pleaded for anonymity alleged.
Meanwhile, the Paramount Ruler of Ikebiri Kingdom, HRH Chief Ododo Francis Timi (Ike VIII), has raised concerns over the unconstitutional actions of Messrs Ephraim Fabofieghe, Baghebo Jacob, and oneTaylor Omientimi which led to his purported unlawful announcement of his removal.
Chief Timi, a retired principal, maintained that the individuals who purportedly declared his seat vacant and installed a new leadership poss potential security threat to law and order in the community, emphasizing that their actions were illegal and unconstitutional. He, therefore, called on the Bayelsa State government to quickly intervene to prevent further escalation of the brewing crisis in his kingdom.
The Paramount Ruler further urged members of the public, corporate organizations, and oil companies to disregard the unconstitutional declaration, saying that his purported unlawful removal contravened laws of the state and the Ikebiri Kingdom’s constitution.
He maintained that the individuals behind the dastardly act lacked the constitutional authority to convene a general meeting of Ikebiri Kingdom and that the processes outlined in Section 43 of the community’s constitution were not followed, rendering the declaration null and void.
According to credible community sources, a group of Ikebiri community members previously vandalized the Palace of the Paramount Ruler in Ikebiri Community on March 3 and came again on March 7 to remove the royal stool of Chief Timi and took it to the graveside of Ike, founder of Ikebiri Kingdom, where it was left to rot away unchallenged till date.
Meanwhile, the office of the Deputy Governor governor has summoned both parties in the controversy with a view to resolving the matter.
All attempts to reach the Bayelsa State Coordinator of Tantita Security Services Limited, Chief Joshua Maciver, for comments were unsuccessful, as his lines were unreachable at the time of going to press.
By David Owei, Bayelsa
Governor Ademola Adeleke is not defecting to African Democratic Congress (ADC) nor aligning with anybody within the ADC ahead of the 2026 state elections, his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed has disclosed.
Responding to media publication and enquiries, the Spokesperson affirmed that Governor Adeleke remains in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and is going to win, with wide margins, the 2026 governorship elections on the platform of the PDP.
The statement reads further: “Our attention has been drawn to news reports and media enquiries about the imminent defection of Governor Adeleke to the ADC or alignment with ADC big wigs ahead of the 2026 governorship race. There is no truth in those publications and speculations.
“First of all, we, the PDP Osun, have already adopted and endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, so there is no alliance with ADC.
“Secondly, Governor Adeleke has no alliance with anyone in ADC. He remains in PDP, will run in PDP, and needs no alliance with ADC to win with a wide margin in 2026.
“The Osun electorate supports Governor Adeleke because of his impressive performance since he came to office. That good work is still ongoing and Osun people are committed to sustaining the delivery of good governance by re-electing Governor Adeleke in 2026”, the Spokesperson was quoted as saying.
Governor Adeleke urges PDP members to forge ahead with the ongoing strengthening of the party structures across all levels to prepare for fresh victory next year”, the statement from the Spokesperson concluded.
By David Owei,Bayelsa
The umbrella body of Ijaw Elders, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has rejected the Bill in the Senate seeking to permanently elevate the Ooni of Ife and Sultan of Sokoto as the exclusive Co-chairmen of the Traditional Rulers Council.
The INC said the move would be at the expense of apex traditional rulers from other ethnic nationalities and geopolitical divides.
The Second Vice Chairman of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Chief Alabo Nengi James (OON) said, in a statement on Sunday in Odi, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government area of Bayelsa State, the proposal is a continuos infringement on Traditional Rulers in Nigeria.
Alabo Nengi James describes the provision of the Bill as unacceptable and against the Rights of the indigenous People across tribes, Religion, Culture and Customs.
He said the Bill should be reviewed to include clauses such as No permanent Chairmanship for Sultan and Oni only must be allowed in the ongoing bill being discussed in the Senate.
He advocates that the National Assembly should allow the National Council of Traditional Rulers to Appoint their Leadership themselves, rotationaly and based on Federal Character.
“Include the Role of Traditional Rulers into the Constitutio and No Traditional Ruler from another tribe or religion is superior to another.”
“The National Assembly should Step down the Provocative and dehumanizing offensive Bill that will cause a serious rift and breach of peace in Nigeria.”
Chief James called the attention of the Senate President, Rt. Hon. Godswill Akpabio, urging him to immediately step down what he termed a “highly insensitive and dangerous bill.”
He emphasized that traditional rulers across the country must be given equal recognition and should be allowed to choose their national leadership through internal mechanisms that reflect rotational leadership and the federal character system.
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