By Amgbare Ekaunkumo,Yenagoa
Bayelsa State government has set up a seven-man committee to look into the leadership tussle of Otuogori community in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor on Media, Mr Doubara Atasi, on Wednesday, Senator Ewhrudjakpo warned that on no account should any person or group of persons tamper with the bank accounts of Otuogori until normalcy is fully restored in the community.
The Committee, which is chaired by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Biriyai Dambo (SAN), is to look into the immediate and remote causes of the leadership tussle, make recommendations and submit its findings to government within two weeks.
Speaking shortly after setting up the Committee, Senator Ewhrudjakpo, restated that government would not tolerate actions that would destroy the prevailing peace in any part of the state.
He emphasized the need for communities to be guided by the provisions of the state chieftaincy law on succession or election of their paramount rulers to avoid the wrath of government.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who urged the people to embrace love and peace, warned that henceforth, nobody should parade himself as paramount ruler or CDC chairman of Otuogori community until a new leadership is duly instituted.
It also directed the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Ben Okolo, to deploy anti-riot police operatives to the community as part of measures to forestall the breakdown of law and order in the area.
His words: “Don’t allow chieftaincy issues to tear your community apart. As a government, we will not allow any crisis in any community. All that had transpired in your community in recent times and even here is illegality upon illegality.
“The role of CDCs and and that of chiefs councils is clearly spelt out in the Chieftaincy Law of Bayelsa State. Nobody should mix the two together.
“Everybody should live peacefully in that community (Otuogori) until the committee finish their work and we all work together to put in place a new leadership.”
Members of the 7-man committee include the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Development, Chief Thompson Amule; the state Commissioner of Police, CP Nebolisa Ben Okolo, and the Chairman of Ogbia Local Government Area, Mr Ebinyon Turner.
Others are the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, CP Akpoebi Agberebi (Rtd.), the Technical Adviser on Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Douye Naingba as well as the Technical Adviser on Conflict Resolution, Chief Boma Spero-Jack.
