Bayelsa governor dethrones traditional ruler over insecurity allegations

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has officially dethroned King Wilcox Seiyefa, the Ebeniken (paramount ruler) of the Swali community, citing his alleged inability to manage insecurity in the area.

The decision was announced Tuesday by Deputy Governor Peter Akpe during a meeting with community stakeholders in Yenagoa. The removal is based on the findings of a fact-finding committee, which concluded that the leadership was "weak and unable to make firm decisions to manage the situation" when incidents of violence and insecurity occurred.

King Seiyefa and his Council of Chiefs had been suspended by the state government on May 21, 2025, amid allegations of aiding and abetting insecurity. The governor's action is in line with Section 6 of the state’s Chieftaincy Law, which pertains to maintaining peace, order, and good governance.

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The fact-finding committee engaged various stakeholders in the Swali community and sought advice from security agencies on the way forward. Following the committee’s findings, it is clear that at the time those actions (causing violence and insecurity) occurred, the leadership was weak and unable to make firm decisions to manage the situation.

Governor Diri has mandated that the process for electing a new paramount ruler begin immediately and be concluded within three months. He assured that the government would facilitate this process by establishing an electoral committee. The existing caretaker committee will continue to manage community affairs until new leadership is in place, with the exception of members intending to contest the election. The dethroned king has been instructed to return his certificate of recognition and staff of office within one month.

In a related development, a seven-man caretaker committee has been appointed to oversee the affairs of the Ogboinbiri community in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

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The government will facilitate the election of a new paramount ruler by setting up an electoral committee, and the election must be conducted within three months, starting from 30 June.