Controversy has emerged in Bayelsa State surrounding the alleged removal of HRH Ododo Francis Timi (Ike VIII), the Amananawei of Ikebiri Kingdom, the third-class paramount ruler of Ikebiri 1 Community, headquarters of Apoi/Olodiama Rural Development Authority in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
Sources hinted that the security situation in the community has remained tense, with calls for the state government’s intervention to prevent further escalation, alleging that Chief Joshua MacIver, Coordinator Government Oweizidei Thomas Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo) owned Tantita Security Services and ex-militant leader, has been mentioned in the removal of HRH Timi, informing that Community youths linked to Tantita Security Services allegedly carried out the removal.
The removal was allegedly supervised by Chief MacIver’s Chief of Staff, Mr. Timi Igoli, in Ikebiri 1, on Saturday, July 26, in the presence of military and civil defence personnel attached to Tantita Security Services in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
Meanwhile, HRH Timi has raised concerns over the actions of Messrs Ephraim Fabofieghe, Baghebo Jacob, and one Taylor Omientimi which led to the purported announcement of his removal.
Chief Timi, a retired School Principal, maintained that the individuals who declared his seat vacant and installed a new leadership pose potential security threat to law and order in the community, emphasizing that their actions were illegal and unconstitutional.
He, therefore, called on the Bayelsa State Government to quickly intervene to prevent further escalation of the brewing crisis in his kingdom.
The paramount ruler further urged members of the public, corporate organizations, and oil companies to disregard the unconstitutional declaration, saying that his purported unlawful removal contravened laws of the state and the Ikebiri Kingdom’s constitution.
He maintained that the individuals behind the dastardly act lacked the constitutional authority to convene a general meeting of Ikebiri Kingdom and that the processes outlined in Section 43 of the community’s constitution were not followed, rendering the declaration null and void.
According to credible community sources, a group of Ikebiri community members previously vandalized the Palace of the paramount ruler in Ikebiri Community on March 3 and came again on March 7 to remove the royal stool of Chief Timi and took it to the graveside of Ike, founder of Ikebiri Kingdom, where it was left to rot away unchallenged till date.
Meanwhile, the office of the Deputy Governor has summoned both parties in the controversy with a view to resolving the matter.
All attempts to reach the Bayelsa State Coordinator of Tantita Security Services Limited, Chief Joshua MacIver, through calls, SMS and WhatsApp chat for comments were unsuccessful, as he refused to respond.
However, responding to Popular News enquiries in a telephone discussion, Saint Mienpamo, who identified himself as Spokesman of Izon Tukpa Movement, which McIver belongs to, said that HRH Timi’s problem is self inflicted as he has over the years been manipulating the process of the constitutional election of CDC Chairmen to favour his interest.
Mienpamo stated that the issue has been taken to court for adjudication with the result been against HRH Timi but whose ruling he has refused to adhere to for three years.
“He is making issues out of nothing. Instead of him to tow the path of peace by dialoguing with the aggrieved community members he has resorted to blackmailing innocent people to achieve his mischievous motives.
“HRH Timi should desist from mentioning the name of Joshua McIver, Tompolo and Tantita Security Services as they have nothing to do with the issue. It’s a community issue which the stakeholders are pursuing to get justice.”
