Bayelsa community in denies appointing new leadership

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

The Olugboboro community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area on Friday dismissed c ok aims that it has appointed a new leadership to run its affairs.

It said its attention has been drawn to a purported announcement making the rounds that it has now a new constituted Interim government to lead the community in the next six months.

According to a statement signed by Chief Matthew Azeke of Akpokowari Compound and Chief Ebimobowei Kenbo of Ikpsiwari compound ,the interim government allegedly constituted what they described in an illegal emergency general meeting held on the November 9, 2024 in the community town hall.

The statement noted that the alleged illegal appointment are members of the purported Interim government include Mr. Timiere Tiko as Chairman, Mr. Willfred Tarighebo as Vice Chairman, Mr. Victor Eregbolo as Secretary and  Mr. Ebianga as Treasurer to lead the community for six months.

According to the community, before the said illegal meeting, it had prevailed on Mr.Imboko to rescind his decision to convene an emergency general meeting, as they tried to make him realise the legal and security implications at this time.

“Before the said illegal meeting , we had prevailed on Mr. Imboko to rescind his decision to convene an emergency general meeting.

“In the invitation, Mr.Imboko invited Olugboboro indigenes residing outside the community to attend an emergency general meeting to discuss Petroleum Industry Act  (PIA).

“They intentionally misinformed and deceived the public and security agencies, because there was nothing to discuss about PIA. The PIA was a facade to actualise their evil machination of throwing the community into chaos to satisfy their paymaster”, the statement read in part.

They expressed disappointment that Mr. Imboko ignored their warning and still went ahead to hold the meeting, after they told him that he does not have the authority to convene a general meeting especially when the community is embroiled in communal crisis.

They said the community has been enveloped in crisis since 2023 over the outcome of CDC election and the state government through the Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ehrujakpo had waded into the matter,where he directed all sides to maintain the status quo until the issues are trashed out.

The community stressed that it is tantamount to abuse of law and fragrant disobedience of the state government directive for certain group of persons to appoint interim government when there is a pending court case at Oporoma High in Yenagoa.

“The illegal concoction appointed by Imboko and his cohorts is clearly a breach of peace and rule of law. The action of Mr.Imboko is meant to foment crisis in the community” the community said.

The community pleaded with Gov Douye Diri to intervene and stop Mr. Tiko and others from parading themselves as Interim government,noting that they are imposters,bent on throwing the community into unending crisis for their selfish gains.

“Again,if Olugboboro community decides to set up an interim government, the whole community will come together and elect responsible persons to run the community.

“Certainly, not some group of persons to appoint an illegal body to destabilise the community”.

They also appealed to the state government, traditional rulers Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs), security agencies and companies not to do anything with Mr. Tiko and his group, stressing that only the intervention of the governor would avert the looming crisis from exploding.