The Paramount Ruler of Ekpangbala community in Ogale, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, Chief Kenneth Nwafor, and the entire people of the community have condemned Chief Bebe Godwin Okpabe for allegedly stirring up dispute in the Ogale Traditional Rulers’ Council.
Chief Bebe Okpabe was said to have been dethroned some months ago by his people based on an alleged behaviour displayed by him, which his people termed to be unacceptable as a Paramount ruler.
Speaking to our reporter, Chief Kenneth Nwafor said tension had mounted the community when he got the information that some loyalist of Chief Bebe were plotting to dethrone him and some chiefs of Ogale, at the Ekpangbala town hall.
According to him: “In the early hours of 29th June, being Saturday, I got the news that some loyalists of Chief Bebe Godwin Maduabuchi Okpabe have plotted to dethrone some chiefs who were in support of the people’s decision to dethrone him.
“I quickly alerted the Divisional Police Officer of Eleme to swing into action and ensure that peace is maintained in the community that day which they did.
“This happened despite the directives given by the Rivers state Governor, Nyesom Wike, asking the Ogale people to remain calm and follow due process over the Oneh-Eh Eta Ogale traditional stool. Nine villages make up the Ogale clan and every village in Ogale has its own Chiefs in council.
“I have ruled the community for over seven years without any form of conflict or dispute amongst the people of Ogale, but for Chief Bebe Okpabe and his cronies coming up with plans to dethrone me and some Chiefs due to the vote of no confidence he got from 90 percent of Ogale Chiefs shows he no longer respects the Royal dynasty of Ogale.
“It also shows disobedience to the peace process the governor told us to maintain in matters relating to Ogale Royal stool, and this action of Chief Bebe trying to constitute his own cabinet without support from the Ogale council of Chiefs, indicates failed leadership on his part and loss of trust from his people”
Chief Nwafor further urged the people to continue to live in harmony with one another, as Ogale is the only community they have.
On his part, the elected youth president of Ogale community, Darlington Nyimeoni, thanked the security agencies for their assistance in restoring peace and normalcy in Ekpangbala, while appealing to the government to call to order anyone trying to disrupt peace in Ogale.
He urged the Ekpangbala youths to shun all forms of social vices that may lead to unrest in the communities and embrace peace, adding that they should not allow themselves to be used as tools for communal crisis.
