Former academic from the University of Port Harcourt and Chairman, Tarakiri Clan Council of Chiefs and Elders, High Chief Seiyefa Koroye, at the weekend emerged as the Pere-elect (Monarch-elect) of Tarakiri Clan.
The Tide reports that at the Saturday, 29th July 2023, keenly contested election, held at Ebedebiri Community of the Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, the people of Tarakiri Kingdom elected the new monarch.
The Tide also learnt that the former occupant of the coveted throne, HRM King Richardford Orukaribai Koroye, passed on last year and was buried sometime this year.
Declaring result of the election, Chairman of the electoral committee and former Bayelsa State Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, High Chief Ayakeme Whiskey, announced High Chief Seiyefa Koroye as winner.
The electoral umpire stated that the ex-Uniport Don in the first round of the election, polled a total of 45 votes out of a total 93 votes cast.
The two other contenders are, the Paramount ruler of Angalabiri community, HRH Famous Eseduo, who garnered 28 votes, and High Chief Kemi Prefa, who scored 20 in the first round of the election.
Whiskey, however, noted that following the inability of any of the candidates to secure 50 percent of the total vote cast, which is a major requirement of the Tarakiri Kingdom constitution, the electoral umpire at the end of the first round of the polls did not declare a winner.
He also said in accordance with the provisions of the clan’s constitution, High Chief Kemi Prefa, who polled the least votes at the first round of the election was automatically eliminated from contesting the second ballot, giving room for the two highest scorers alone to stand for the second ballot.
The electoral committee Chairman said, “At the end of the second ballot, High Chief Seiyefa Koroye emerged winner, pollinh 63 out of a total of 93 votes. The paramount ruler of Angalabiri, HRH Eseduo emerged the first-runner up with 29 votes.
“The total number of accredited delegates were 94 drawn from 13 Communities of Tarakiri Clan, but the regent absteined from voting, so we had 93 votes. The winner must secure 50 percent of total votes cast in line with sub-section 4 of the Tarakiri constitution.
“The first results did not produce a clear winner as none of the candidates secured 50% as a result, the election went into second ballot between the two candidates with the highest votes while High Chief Keme Prefa was eliminated.
“The process was free, fair and transparent. I commend delegates for their peaceful conduct during and after the election. If elections were conducted the way it went, losers will have no cause to complain”, he said.
Also speaking, Deputy Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, The Rt. Hon. Michael Ogbere, described the election as friendly contest between two brothers, while stating that it was a peaceful and credible process.
Ogbere tasked the Tarakiri people on embracing peace, while also urging the monarch-elect to provide fair leadership by carrying everybody along in the scheme of things.
The lawmaker thanked delegates for their show of maturity and the orderly manner in which they conducted themselves while the election lasted.
Meanwhile, the monarch-elect, High Chief Seiyefa Koroye has attributed his success story to sacrifice, hard work and service to humanity, stating that these virtues has given him recognition as expressed by the people at the election.
The monarch-elect promised to unite the clan, saying he would consult widely, collaborate with critical stakeholders, government and development partners to move the clan forward.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa