By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa
Traditional heads and chiefs from Nembe and Brass local government areas of Bayelsa State, on the auspices of the Nembe Divisional Council of Chiefs (NDCC), have cautioned politicians against utterances and actions that may instigate abusive campaigns and violence in the area.
The traditional heads, who make up registered traditional war-canoe chiefs of Nembe ethnic extraction within Nembe Se, made up of nine federating units, urged that instead of engaging in acts that could threatened the peace, all internal issues and disagreement should be discussed and settled on a round table.
The Nembe traditional heads, in a communiqué issued on Friday at the end of the Nembe Divisional Council of Chiefs meeting at the Nembe City Hall and presided over by the chairman, Chief Nimi Barigha-Amange, secretary-general, Chief Theo S.Kioerigha-Onu and Public Relations officer, Alabo Nengi James-Eriworio, declared that the era of “tumult and war” is over in the Nembe speaking areas of the state.
They further advised politicians against acts that could endanger the peace, unity, stability and corporate existence of Nembe speaking people, at home and abroad, during the campaigns and voting in the 20233 general elections.
According to the communique, “Council appealed and urged all first class traditional rulers in Nembe and Brass local government areas to regularly meet, at least once a year, to discuss on Nembe Se common issues. Council also advised its members to remain neutral as far as possible in active politics. However, those who participate in active party politics should do so with decorum and decency expected of Nembe traditional war canoe chiefs.”
They also urged the people of Nembe and Brass local government areas to collect and protect their permanent voters cards (PVC) so as to vote candidate of their choice in the 2023 general elections.
On the “noticeable show of ingratitude towards the development efforts of the Governor Douye Diri-led developmental efforts in the Nembe and Brass area,” the traditional heads castigated those behind the “derogatory” campaign, while commending the Bayelsa State governor for flagging off the Nembe-Brass road. They added that the eventual completion of the road project will lead to rapid development and would be of immense benefit to the entire Nembe Se, Bayelsa State and Nigeria in general.
The traditional heads also urged indigenes of Nembe extraction and Bayelsa people to imbibe the “habit of appreciating and being thankful to those who have done well and the heroes of the land including His Eminence Mingi X11, Amanayabo of Nembe Kingdom, the current chief judge of Rivers State and the Nembe Se lawyers Forum for organizing the 2nd memorial lecture in honour of the late King (Hon. Justice) Ambrose Alagoa CON, Mingi X1, Amanayabo of Nembe Kingdom.”