Bayelsa Govt Dethrones Traditional Ruler

Bayelsa State government has ordered the removal of traditional  ruler of Agbere community,  in Sagbama local government area of the  State ,Chief Aziza Ekade, ,from office for contravening the Chieftaincy Laws  and the present administration of Chief  Timipre Sylva.

Ekade ,who  was the Amananaowei of the community, and aslo a civil servant in a local government council in the state has been directed by government to hand over all community property in his possession to the Acting Amananaowei, Chief Victor Alali, pending when a new  traditional ruler will be elected and installed.

This was contained in a statement  by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Tony Ekade, who said  that the action of government to depose the  paramount ruler whom The Tide learnt is his own cousin was in line  with the state’s chieftaincy laws ,noting that all chiefs installed by the ousted  chief now have their titles revoked. The deposed traditional ruler could not be reached for comments as at press time.

In a bid to enhance   responsible leadership at the clan levels,   the  governor’s aide said  the state government has announced a number of reforms to regulate the activities of traditional rulers.

Ekade said  the new arrangement  takes effect from  September 1,  where all Amananaowei and Amadabos were expected to hold monthly meetings in their communities and  written minutes of such meetings forwarded to the office of the Deputy Governor for documentaion.

He  noted that the  minutes of  such meetings would  be forwarded through the office of the Senior Special Assistant on Chieftaincy  Affairs  ,stressing that this  would be used as criteria to pay their monthly stipends.

According to the statement, the Kings are expected to hold quarterly meetings  with all Royal Highnesses in the Kingdom, saying that this new development  was  to complement government’s efforts at maintaining peace at various communities ,especially as   the governorship election in the state comes up February next year.

The Governor  berated  the attitude of some traditional rulers operating outside their domains and directed that all clans and communities meetings must be held at their various places and domains.