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… As Diri’s New CDC Chairman Resigns
By Amos Odeh, Yenagoa
The new acting paramount ruler of Otuokpoti Community in Ogbia Council Area of Bayelsa State, Chief Rescue Orisa Abe, has explained why the state governor, Senator Douye Diri dethroned the community’s former monarch and enthroned him in acting capacity.
The traditional ruler who spoke with our correspondent in the community at the weekend denied insinuations that his friends in government lobbied for him to become a royal father.
Against the backdrop of allegations that he lobbied for the position, Chief Abe said he was not interested in politics, while noting that his leadership antecedents, as one-time acting paramount ruler (between 1988 and 1989), one-time vice chairman of Ogbia kingdom Council of Chiefs, as well as his former positions as chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Ogbia Local Government Area, one-time secretary of the Otuokpoti Community Council of Chiefs, and his position as chairman of the community’s council of chiefs, prior to his elevation as acting monarch, would have informed the state governor’s decision to make him the acting royal father.
Port Harcourt Mundial reports that the second-class paramount ruler of Otuokpoti Community in Ogbia council area of the state, A.C.T. Wongo, was deposed by the state governor, following security reports which allegedly implicated him and others in an alleged illegal oil refinery business, which security investigations further revealed led to the kidnap of the state commissioner for Trade and Investment, Mr. Federal Otokito, whom reports say was against the illegal oil bunkering, popularly referred to as ‘kpo-fire’ in the community.
Chief Abe reeled out his blueprint, while informing Port Harcourt Mundial that though the government had not informed him how long he would be in acting capacity, pending when the community would have a substantive monarch, he intends to collaborate with the government and security operatives to strengthen the security situation in Otuokpoti, as he also hinted that in line with government’s directive, plans have reached advanced stage for the community to have a database of all non-indigenes living in the community and their sources of livelihood, respectively.
“I never knew the state governor would appoint me as acting paramount ruler, I was surprised myself when I first saw it in the social media, so I called on the governor’s chief of staff to confirm. He told me he would get back to me and truly called back later with the confirmation of the story. I’m not a politician and don’t intend to be one any day, anytime. I’m a retired teacher.
“The governor is called ‘Miracle governor’ and so God has performed another miracle in this community through him. Like the governor, I’m also a ‘Miracle’ acting paramount ruler.
“I never lobbied for this position, but I’m confident that my antecedents as chairman of the Otuokpoti Community Council of Chiefs, my former positions as vice chairman of the Ogbia kingdom Council of Chiefs, as well onetime NUT chairman, Ogbia LGA and also my former position as one-time acting paramount ruler of this community,between 1988 and 1989, and several other things would’ve informed the governor’s choice in choosing me amongst others as acting paramount ruler of the Otuokpoti Community after the dethronement of our former monarch,” he said.
Meanwhile, there were palpable fears in the community as reports had it that security operatives during the week foiled attempts by some members of the community, believed to be relatives and sympathizers of the dethroned monarch, A.C.T Wongo, to protest during the commissioning of the newly upgraded Otuokpoti police station by the state governor.
The foiled protest, and other yet to be ascertained reasons, Port Harcourt Mundial gathered, may not be unconnected with the resignation of the governor’s appointed CDC chairman, Mr Jerry Ofor, as he and the protesters declined granting our correspondent audience.
“l can’t call that a protest, it was a handful of persons and it is natural,” he said.
Our correspondent further gathered that the failed protest was carried out by no fewer than 12 people.
He also gathered that the resignation of Mr Jerry Ofor, earlier appointed by governor Diri to replace the sacked CDC chairman, Mr Azibalua Amon, would not threaten the peaceful coexistence of the community as the council of chiefs has since filled the vacancy created by the resignation with Mr God’spower Parapa as replacement.
The acting royal father described the new CDC helmsman as one who is willing to work with the new community leadership, noting that the community has since kept the government and security agencies abreast of the new development.
“The CDC chairman appointed by the governor came to me, one day saying that his inner mind was telling him not to be the chairman and that he was resigning. I summoned a meeting of the council of chiefs and informed them, so he tender his resignation and has since been replaced by one Mr God’spower Parapa as new CDC chairman. I’ve informed the government and security agencies”, the monarch said.
The new monarch further said he would not condole illegal oil bunkering and would solicit the cooperation of security agencies and sister agencies to reduce cultism and drug addiction among youths.
“Drug addiction will be reduced to barest minimum under my watch,” he said.
Our correspondent reports that the new monarch still sees his appointment as a big surprise. When asked why he was yet to be adorned with royal regalia, he said that he had just lost his senior wife and is still mourning her, adding that as soon as that is over everything will be put in shape.
A cross section of indigenes and non-indigenes who spoke to our correspondent, described the new monarch as unassuming and a quintessential peace-loving and humble man with the fear of God in him.
