Niger Delta
Ag. Paramount Ruler Restates Stance On Recognition … As Factional Tussle Intensifies In Bayelsa Community
Acting factional Paramount Ruler of Otuaba Community in the Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, HRH Godgift Awo, has said the Ogbia Kingdom Council of Chiefs and Tradition Rulers recognizes him as the authentic Acting Royal Father of the community.
He made this disclosure recently during an interview with newsmen on a facts finding mission to his community.
According to the paramount ruler, upon the demise and successful interment of the former substantive paramount ruler of the ancient community, consultations on who becomes Acting monarch of the community were held.
He said before majority stakeholders and opinion leaders of the community he was unanimously installed as traditional ruler in acting capacity pending when the community would conduct elections to usher in a new substantive monarch.
He called on any other faction or individual from the community to stop parading as acting paramount ruler, noting that in all the dealings with traditional rulers of communities within the Oloibiri Clan, which the community falls into, he has been the only recognized and known ruler of the community invited to such meetings and occasions as tradition demands.
HRH Awo, who berated an alleged factional leader of the community (names withheld) for not wanting to sheath his sword for peace and progress to reign in the community, said all his attempts at calling for settlement of any lingering tussle in the community has proved abortive, alleging that there were unknown people secretly instigating factionalism in the community for their selfish ends.
“I’m the only recognize Ag. Traditional Ruler of Otuaba Community. I’ve my Council of Chiefs and elders, CDC, Youth cabinet and every other trappings of a functional community leadership intact.
“The Oloibiri Clan Council of Chiefs and traditional rulers too accord me respect as the authentic Ag. Paramount Ruler of this community, and I’ve been representing this community and participating in all affairs concerning paramount rulers and chiefs, be it from the Government or other concerns.
“I want to call for peace because without peace there can’t be any meaningful development and progress.
“Within the few years that I’ve been acting as monarch in this community, we’ve attracted some projects from the NDDC and other agencies of Government. I want everyone parading as factional Ag. Paramount Ruler of this ancient community to please give peace a chance”, he said.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa