Bayelsa community suspends monarch over dereliction of duty

The people of Ikebiri Kingdom, comprising Ikebiri 1, Ikebiri 2, and Ikebiri 3, in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, have allegedly suspended their paramount ruler, His Highness (Chief) Francis Timi Ododo, over claims of dereliction of duties and breach of traditional responsibilities.

The Amananaowei of Ikebiri Kingdom was suspended during a general meeting held on Saturday, 26 July 2025, where he was accused of disobeying constituted authorities of the community.

The indigenes and stakeholders, with over two thousand signatories from the three cluster communities, ratified the suspension of the traditional leader for failing to call a general meeting for over 10 years, in defiance of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council’s directives and protocols.

According to the notice, one of the major reasons was his failure and outright negligence in performing core duties, specifically his failure to constitute an electoral process for the bye-law election to replace their late Deputy Paramount Ruler, who died in 2015.

Following the enlarged meeting, the community appointed a new caretaker committee comprising Chief Lumumba Tuke – Chairman, Zebulon Festus – Vice Chairman, Ephram Fabo – Secretary, Melford Amayouowei – Public Relations Officer (PRO), Olu Newton – Financial Secretary, and Abule Abrahim – Treasurer.

The resolution at the end of the meeting reads: “Disobedience/negligence of the constitution of Ikebiri Kingdom by his consistent refusal to convene the constitutionally mandated quarterly general meetings of the Ikebiri Kingdom for a period of ten (10) years (2015–2025).

“His Highness has demonstrated a clear neglect of his constitutional obligations as the traditional head of Ikebiri Kingdom. (Reference: Ikebiri Kingdom constitution, Chapter 6, Pt. 2, Subsection 1 and 4).

“Outright disobedience to a revered establishment – the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council. His Highness has shown deliberate defiance to the directives of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, operating under the Office of the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, in the following instances:

“He refused to formally appoint a Constitution Amendment Committee in a duly convened general meeting. (Reference: Proceedings of Matters Between Concerned Citizens of Ikebiri Kingdom and HRH Chief Francis T. Ododo, chaired by HRH Job B.G. Ayawei, dated 31 August 2022, p. 24).

“Outright negligence of duties/refusal to institute electoral processes for the conduct of a bye-election to replace the late Deputy Paramount Ruler since 2015–2025.

“His failure to initiate the process for the conduct of a kingdom’s bye-election to fill the long-vacant position of Deputy Paramount Ruler, spanning a decade (2015–2025), constitutes gross administrative negligence.

“In light of these actions, and to ensure continuity, stability and responsible governance, the community has peacefully appointed a caretaker committee through a transparent nomination process to oversee the affairs of the kingdom.

“The new leadership of Ikebiri Kingdom is mandated to serve the people of Ikebiri Kingdom and to stabilise the community, promote unity, uphold traditional laws, and restore confidence in the governance of the Ikebiri Kingdom.”

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