Bayelsa host communities suspend six over parallel exco

The leadership tussle among the eight host communities of Chevron Nigeria Limited in Southern Ijaw and Brass local council areas of Bayelsa State, under the Keffes Rural Development Foundation (KRDF), took a new turn over the weekend as the leadership of the communities suspended six persons allegedly involved in the crisis.

The six were accused of wrongful interpretation of an order by the state High Court and attempting to change the leadership through the back door.

Keffes is a foundation representing the eight communities comprising Koluama 1 and 2; Ezetu 1 and 2; Foropa, Fish Town; Ekeni; and Sangana, located along the Atlantic coastline.

Comrade Tibiebi Amadein had instituted a suit against the chairmanship position of Mathew Selepri at the state High Court, Oporoma Division, where the court ordered that KRDF conduct another election.

But a motion for a stay of execution was filed before the Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, by the foundation’s chairman.

Our correspondent gathered that the High Court, in its ruling, did not declare the claimant, Tibiebi Amadein, as chairman or an executive of the KRDF but he allegedly, in defiance of the ruling, wrote a letter to Chevron, claiming victory and setting up a parallel executive.

But members of the foundation, after an emergency meeting in Yenagoa, on Saturday, said the action of Tibiebi Amadein, Kofa Murphy Daniel, Noel Ikonikomo, Christopher Longlife, Mrs. Amina James and Ebitare Joseph amounted to gross misconduct and impunity, which has caused serious disaffection and brought negative publicity to the body.

The members, therefore, suspended the six without benefit indefinitely.

A statement issued by Keffes Foundation and signed by the Secretary, Ngozi Amakiri, reads: “The court, at no time or place, declared Tibiebi Amadein the eventual winner, as this was never part of the issues or prayers in the process filled by the claimant.

“The leadership of the house frowns at the following members: Zilpah Osaisai, Decca Perekunakuna and Ebi Think Williams, who ignorantly worked with the claimant and attempted an unlawful change of leadership.”

“That the said three members of Keffes who openly apologised to the house and asked for forgiveness be pardoned accordingly. That the house, by way of a motion, after deliberating on the evil and unpatriotic actions of Tibiebi Amadein, Kofa Murphy Daniel, Noel Ikonikomo, Christopher Longlife, Amina James and Ebitare Joseph has resolved that, given the impunity of their actions, which has caused serious disaffection and negative publicity to the body, they be suspended from membership of Keffes Foundation without benefit indefinitely.

“That the house unanimously passes a vote of confidence on the Selepri government and assures of its absolute and unflinching support.”