Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has approved the removal of the suspended paramount ruler of Swali Community, His Highness Chief Wilcox Seiyefa, from the Ebeniken chieftaincy stool over alleged failure to curb insecurity in the community.
The decision was announced on Tuesday by the Deputy Governor, Dr Peter Akpe, during a meeting with Swali stakeholders at the Government House in Yenagoa.
Akpe said the governor acted on the recommendations of a fact-finding committee set up to investigate the security situation in the community.
Chief Seiyefa and the Swali Council of Chiefs were suspended on May 21, 2025, over allegations of aiding and abetting insecurity in the community.
Announcing the withdrawal of the monarch’s official recognition, Akpe said the action was taken in line with Section Six of the Bayelsa State Chieftaincy Law, which empowers the government to act in the interest of peace, order and good governance.
“The fact-finding committee engaged various stakeholders in Swali Community and also received advice from security agencies on the way forward.
“Based on the committee’s findings, it became clear that the community’s leadership failed to take firm decisions to manage the security situation.
“Consequently, His Excellency, the Governor, has approved the withdrawal of the Staff of Office of His Highness, Chief Wilcox Job Seiyefa, in the interest of peace,” he said.
Akpe disclosed that Governor Diri had directed the immediate commencement of the process to elect a new paramount ruler, with the exercise expected to be completed within three months from June 30, 2026.
He said the government would constitute an electoral committee to oversee the process.
The deputy governor, however, clarified that members of the existing caretaker committee would remain in office until a new traditional leadership emerges, except those intending to contest elective positions.
He also directed the dethroned monarch to surrender his Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Secretary of Yenagoa Local Government Area within one month for onward transmission to the governor.
Akpe thanked the people of Epie Kingdom, other traditional institutions and security agencies for supporting the government’s efforts to restore peace, urging traditional rulers across the state to familiarise themselves with the provisions of the Chieftaincy Law.
Following the governor’s directive, the state government constituted a five-member electoral committee to supervise the selection of a new Ebeniken of Swali.
The committee is chaired by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Chieftaincy Affairs, High Chief Bertola Perekeme, with Barrister Yinkore Terimoh, Gesiye Obireke and Barrister Richard Perekeme as members, while Mrs Domo-Spiff Boma will serve as secretary.
Meanwhile, the state government also inaugurated a seven-member caretaker committee to oversee the affairs of Ogboinbiri Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
Mr Monday Edugo was named chairman of the committee, while Dr Moses Areprekumor will serve as secretary. Other members are Barrister Francis Eseduo, Mr Allen Okorodo, Mr Peter Akpasi, Mr Christian Brown and Mr Akpu Arthur.
Inaugurating the committee, Akpe urged residents to set aside their differences and work with the interim leadership to restore lasting peace in the oil-producing community.
Responding on behalf of the committee, Edugo thanked the state government for the appointment and pledged to work towards restoring peace and stability in Ogboinbiri. He also appealed to Governor Diri to lift the dusk-to-dawn curfew currently imposed on the community.
