By Francis Dufugha
The people of Okordia Kingdom in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have rejected what they described as an alleged attempt to impose traditional rulers on their communities, warning that the developmen could trigger tension, violence and destruction of property.
The kingdom, through the Okordia Paramount Rulers Forum, accused the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Thompson Amule, of allegedly undermining the kingdom’s ancestral customs and traditional practices through the purported presentation of staffs of office to individuals representing five communities.
In a press statement dated October 16, 2026, and signed electronically by the traditional rulers, the kingdom alleged that the presentation involved representatives of Agbobiri, Akumoni, Kalaba, Ikarama and FreeTown communities.
The traditional rulers maintained that the process allegedly adopted for the presentation was inconsistent with the kingdom’s established customs and traditions, insisting that the selection of community leaders must follow their recognised traditional procedures.
They expressed concern that the alleged action could undermine the existing traditional leadership structure and threaten the peaceful coexistence among the communities.
The statement, issued under the authority of the Ibedaowei of Okordia Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Richard Seiba, called on the commissioner and the Bayelsa State Government to respect the kingdom’s cultural heritage and avoid actions capable of creating division among its people.
Traditional Leadership Dispute Explaining the kingdom’s traditional leadership system, the statement said the stool of the Ibedaowei of Akita, the clan head of Okordia Kingdom, is elective when the position becomes vacant following the death of its occupant.
It added that the stools of Amananaowei, or community paramount rulers, are also elective positions, with leadership arrangements guided by established customs and practices.
According to the statement, the traditional leadership structure also incorporates a rotational arrangement among communities and compounds, which the kingdom said was designed to preserve peaceful coexistence and respect its historical traditions.
The traditional rulers further explained that disputes within the kingdom had traditionally been handled by community elders and, where necessary, referred to the clan head or the king for resolution.
They argued that the established traditional mechanisms should be respected in addressing disagreements over chieftaincy matters.
Allegations Against Individuals The statement also raised allegations concerning the emergence and activities of some individuals associated with the disputed traditional leadership arrangements.
It alleged that a former paramount ruler of Agbobiri, Chief Okoma Akube, was accused of misappropriating community property, including solar panels, batteries, a computer set, ceiling fans, a generator and revenue from a community guest house.
According to the statement, the allegations were the subject of a petition reportedly submitted to the State Criminal Investigation Department by his successor, Chief Patrick Fakidouma.
The statement further claimed that Akube was on the wanted list of the Nigeria Police Force in Bayelsa State.
These allegations were made by the Okordia traditional rulers in their press statement and could not be independently verified from the document.
The statement also questioned the legitimacy of claims to traditional leadership by another individual, arguing that the kingdom’s established procedures for selecting paramount rulers should be followed.
Call for Government Intervention The traditional rulers urged the Bayelsa State Government to intervene in the dispute and ensure that the kingdom’s customs and traditions were respected.
They warned that the alleged imposition of traditional leadership could reopen old wounds and potentially lead to renewed violence, recalling previous incidents in which, according to the statement, lives and property had been lost.
The kingdom insisted that it would not accept what it described as imposed leadership and called for the resolution of the dispute through peaceful and culturally recognised channels.
It also criticised the alleged presentation of the staffs of office outside the traditional institutions it considers appropriate for such proceedings.
The traditional rulers appealed to the commissioner to exercise caution and avoid actions that could deepen divisions within the kingdom.
Appeal for Calm Despite expressing strong opposition to the alleged development, the Okordia Paramount Rulers Forum called on residents to remain calm and continue their normal activities.
The statement said the kingdom was committed to addressing the situation through peaceful means, urging its people to avoid actions that could escalate tensions.
The appeal was made under the direction of His Royal Majesty Richard Seiba, Ibedaowei of Okordia Kingdom.
The statement was also endorsed by the paramount rulers of Agbobiri, Akumoni, Kalaba, Ikarama and FreeTown communities.
The traditional rulers reaffirmed their commitment to peace and unity, while urging the state government and all parties involved to respect the kingdom’s traditional institutions and prevent any development that could threaten security in the area.