Bayelsa Govt Receives Twon-Brass Draft Constitution, Inaugurates 5-Man Ratification C’ttee
...Warns Warring Factions In Otakeme To Sheathe Swords
Receiving the Twon-Brass Draft Constitution in Government House, Yenagoa, at the weekend, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, commended the Chairman and members of the Constitution Drafting Committee and other critical stakeholders for doing what he described as a great job in turning in the document in record time.
Dr. Akpe stressed the need for the draft constitution to be ratified at a properly constituted congress comprising critical stakeholders from the five communities that make up the kingdom.
Consequently, he announced the constitution of a five-man ratification committee led by the Chairman, House Committee on Education and Member representing Brass Constituency 1 at the state House of Assembly, Dr Charles Daniel, to oversee the process.
He charged the constitution drafting committee to liaise with other stakeholders in Twon-Brass to produce not less than 300 copies of the draft constitution and make it available for people to study and make their final inputs before its formal adoption by the general assembly.
The committee, which has eight weeks to complete its assignment, has Chief Victor Sam-Ateki, Chief Doigha Eweli, Chief Joseph Laderi and Chief Golden Sintei as members
Earlier, the Chairman of the Twon-Brass Constitution Drafting Committee, His Highness Kune Igoni-Claudius, explained the procedural steps taken and the wide consultations made to come up with the draft constitution, which he described as comprehensive enough to guide the administration of the Kingdom.
Chief Igoni-Claudius, who acknowledged the support and encouragement of the various paramount rulers, thanked the state government for the privilege to serve the people of Twon-Brass Kingdom.
In a related development, Dr. Akpe has called on the people of Otakeme community in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state to cooperate with the Ogbia Traditional Rulers Council to resolve the protracted leadership tussle over the Obanema stool of the community.
Dr. Akpe made the call at an enlarged meeting held in Government House, Yenagoa, with chiefs and leaders of Otakeme, top government functionaries, the Obanobhan of Ogbia Kingdom, King Dimaro Charles-Owaba, and his Emeyal counterpart, King Wapebiama David-Amakiri.
The deputy governor reiterated the present administration’s commitment to peace and stability across the state, and appealed to the warring factions to place the unity, peace and development of their community above personal interests.
He recalled that in a bid to resolve the lingering chieftaincy crisis, his predecessor, the late Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, had set up a committee on the matter, noting, however, that little or nothing had been achieved so far because of the uncompromising attitude of the feuding parties.
While thanking the Ogbia Council of Traditional Rulers for showing concern and their decision to constitute a committee to resolve the protracted conflict, Dr. Akpe gave the council two months to carry out their reconciliatory assignment and revert to government
Speaking on behalf of the Ogbia traditional rulers, the Obanobhan of Ogbia Kingdom, His Eminence King Dimaro Charles-Owaba, commended the state government for its efforts towards bringing lasting peace to the community.
King Charles-Owaba, however, pleaded with the people of Otakeme to give peace a chance and cooperate with the traditional rulers to resolve the matter traditionally in the best interest of the community and the larger Ogbia Kingdom.
A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Deputy Governor, Mr Doubara Atasi, noted that all the factions represented at the meeting expressed acceptance and strong commitment to working with the Ogbia Council of Traditional Rulers to resolve the crisis.
About Author
