The people of Ogboinbiri Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have resolved a chieftaincy crisis that was tearing the community apart, shortly after the State Command of the Nigerian Police released six community leaders arrested in connection with alleged violence and threats to oil and gas production in the area.
In a communique signed at the community’s open square on the 29th of July, 2024, by the Amananaowei, Ben Eseimokumo Okosughe; the Community Development Committee (CDC) chairman, Mr. Tari Daniel; Youth President, Mr. Experience Pere; and a 12-man independent mediation committee headed by Hon. Godbless Akedewei Diriwari as Chairman and Chief Peter Akpasi as Secretary, it was resolved that the paramount ruler (Amananaowei) shall delegate powers to the CDC, youth, and women to nominate members to interface with organs of government and companies operating within the Ogboinbiri community territories.
While reading the communique at the end of the meeting, Hon. Diriwari, a national officer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on behalf of the community, apologized to the Governor of Bayelsa State, Deputy Governor, SSG, Southern Ijaw Council Chairman, and other stakeholders the community may have offended while the crisis lasted.
He also thanked Chief David Lyon, Hon. Preye Oseke, and Pious Wariyai for their financial and moral support in resolving the dispute.
In the communique, the community also agreed that the sharing of work opportunities must not be done in secrecy and that, at every point in time, the CDC chairman, youth president, and women leader be allowed to select members of their bodies to constitute a community delegation.
The communique also stated that the youth president shall be in charge of youth affairs and constitute a local task force to maintain local security within the community and report to the CDC chairman.
ALSO READ: Ogun: NSE seeks FG’s support to combat environmental challenges
The communique read in part: “The CDC chairman shall be in charge of the day-to-day internal affairs of the community. The Amananaowei shall focus on community land matters and capital offenses and report the same to the government of Bayelsa State.”
“The Amananaowei shall delegate powers to the CDC and other executive arms from time to time to deal with companies, government, and other organizations.”
“At every point in time, the CDC chairman, youth president, and woman leader be allowed to select members of their bodies to constitute a community delegation.”
“The CDC chairman be allowed to run internal community affairs and report to the Amananaowei when necessary, and the youth president, in collaboration with his executives, shall take charge of the Ogboinbiri task force and report to the CDC chairman.”
The high point of the peace accord was the planned review of the Ogboinbiri Community constitution by a 10-man committee to be appointed in two weeks’ time on the basis of one person representing a compound, to take proposals from members of the community over six months, after which the constitution shall be amended in the general assembly of the community.
Hon. Diriwari further advised youths not to allow themselves to be used by mischief makers. Other members of the mediation committee who signed the resolution include Mr. Emmanuel Frank Orianzi, Mr. Peter Akpasi, Ebi Eseduo, Peaceman Okia, High Chief Joseph Mienbo, Pere Vorporal, Victor Ebikeme, Azazi Daukuro, Pius Wariyai, and Isaac Okoso.
