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OTAKEME LEADERSHIP CRISIS: Bayelsa Govt Constitutes Conflict Resolution Committee

 




Bayelsa State Government has set up a 6- man committee to investigate the lingering intra communal conflict in Otakeme, in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state in a bid to restore enduring peace and stability.


The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo on Tuesday constituted the committee during a meeting with stakeholders of Otakeme community in Government House, Yenagoa. 


A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor, Mr Doubara Atasi, announced membership of the committee to include, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy Governor's Office, Comrade Gowon Toruyouyei, Commissioner for Community Development, Chief Watson Belemote and Commissioner for Information, Strategy and Orientation, Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai.


Others are the Chairman of Ogbia Local Government Council, Mr Jeremiah Golden, Technical Advisers to the Governor on Special Duties, Mr Richard Perekeme and Mr Timidi Wariowei 


The statement quoted the Deputy Governor as charging members of the committee to painstakingly look into the issues surrounding the leadership tussle in Otakeme community and submit its report to government within 3 weeks time for necessary action.


Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who mandated members of the committee to wade into the allegations levelled against the Chairman of the Otakeme Council of Chiefs, urged the committee to ensure fair hearing for all parties involved in the dispute.


He advised the people to sink their differences and encourage a harmonious and peaceful co-existence, noting that a community such as Otakeme should not allow itself to be embroiled in leadership issues that had lingered for the past 52 years.


The deputy governor explained that the state government had earlier taken the decision to suspend the community's festival in order to avert a likely breach of the peace.


His words: "Government actually had credible evidence that there was likely going to be a breach of the peace because two parties were laying claim to the community leadership and wanted to organise the community's festival. 


"And so, government directed the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to suspend the ceremony because a government that is responsible and responsive will not fold its arns and allow such a situation to degenerate further."


In his remarks, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Thompson Amule, said efforts made to get the warring factions of the community to resolve the matter had remained futile.


Also, Prof. Edmund Allison-Oguru, a stakeholder of the Otakeme community and former Secretary to the State Government, explained that the communal misunderstanding escalated when some individuals attempted to forcefully take over the governance of the community last year.


He thanked the state government for its intervention in the matter and expressed optimism that it would take measures at enthroning lasting peace and stability in the community.


In their separate remarks, stakeholders of Otakeme community, Chief Charles Paul and Chief Godwill Asuo, said the leadership impasse in the Otakeme community had lingered for too long and therefore appealed to government to address the issues without further delay.


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