Bayelsa State Government has constituted a 7-member committee to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the leadership tussle in Anibeze community in Sagbama Local Government Area of the state.
The committee, which is saddled with the responsibility of coming up with recommendations on the dispute over the Anibeze paramount ruler’s position, is also mandated to look into the Bayelsa State Chieftaincy Law as regards individuals who are qualified to be traditional rulers.
The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo on Tuesday, inaugurated the committee after a meeting with stakeholders of Anibeze community and relevant government officials, including the member representing Sagbama Constituency Three at the state House of Assembly, Mrs Ebizi Ndiomu-Brown, in Government House, Yenagoa.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, spelt out the committee’s terms of reference to include, ascertaining the emergence of the two contending chiefs claiming the paramount ruler position of Anibeze community and identity which of them meets the requirements of the Bayelsa State Chieftaincy Law.
He also charged the committee to confirm from the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs whether it recognises any of the two chiefs and if the Ministry did, the committee should state why and how the person was recognised.
The deputy governor further directed the committee to liaise with the Anibeze community and initiate the machinery of conducting a new election into the office of the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC) and that of the youth president.
Following the community’s customary practice, the Committee is to also ensure that the position of the CDC chairman should be zoned to the quarters entitled to produce the next chairman.
According to the Deputy Governor, “The committee is to find out if Anibeze has a functional constitution”, adding that ‘if there is none, it should start the process of getting a new constitution to guide the affairs of the community.’
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who tasked the committee members to equally start the process of conducting election into the office of the youth president, directed them to submit their report within three weeks.
Meanwhile the Deputy Governor, has declared the removal of the current CDC chairman, Mr. Akeni Anthony and youth president, Mr David Ufuana, as illegal, and directed that they should serve out their remaining term before the conduct of fresh elections.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who admonished the people of Anibeze community against acts of lawlessness, stressed the need for them to maintain law and order in their community.
He maintained that nobody or group of persons has the right to ostracise any community member, pointing out that such acts violate the constitution of the country.
The Chairman of the Committee is Commissioner for Special Duties, Bayelsa West, Michael Magbisa, while Head of EXCO, Deputy Governor’s Office, Mrs Mercy Alafuro, is to serve as Secretary.
Other members are, Special Adviser to the Governor on Chieftaincy Affairs, High Chief Perekeme Bertola, Rural Development Authority Chairman of Toru Abubou, Mr Tarikebi Egbide, Councillor representing Ward 13, Sagbama Local Government, Mr Tari Afenfia, Governor’s Special Representative for Sagbama, Mr Tamunobere Oguoh and Technical Adviser to the governor on Boundary Matters, Vote Salem.
