The Bayelsa State Government has clarified that its decision to suspend the scheduled election for the leadership of the Ogbia Brotherhood, the umbrella socio-cultural body for the Ogbia people, was a proactive measure intended to safeguard peace and prevent a potential breakdown of law and order in the area.
Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, disclosed this rationale while engaging with a delegation of concerned women known as the Concerned Daughters of Ogbia at his office in Government House, Yenagoa.
In a statement released by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Doubara Atasi, the Deputy governor stated that the government’s action was based on unsettling security intelligence surrounding the planned Ogbia Brotherhood elections and was implemented in the best interest of the community.
“It was out of security concerns that the state government placed the ban on that election. The reports you hear most times are different from what the Governor receives. The governor receives daily security briefings about events across the state,” Senator Ewhrudjakpo explained.
He added that the state executive took the decision because they “felt that if not properly managed, the situation could degenerate into a serious crisis. Often, what causes major problems in communities is the little things people tend to overlook.”
The deputy governor urged the Ogbia community to maintain unity and refrain from actions that could negatively affect the image of their prominent son, former President Goodluck Jonathan, who, he noted, is respected globally.
He assured the women that the Governor Douye Diri-led administration remains committed to honouring Jonathan and fostering development in the Ogbia area and across the state.
Ewhrudjakpo mentioned ongoing and completed government projects in Ogbia, such as the Onuebum Otuoke Road and the Ayama-Ogbia/Okodi Road, and pledged that the suspension would be lifted soon to allow for a conducive environment for the election of a new Ogbia Brotherhood leadership.
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In their submissions, Blessing Igbuasi, the Women Leader, and Ada Joan, the Public Relations Officer for the Concerned Daughters of Ogbia, indicated that their peaceful assembly was to draw government attention to rising disunity in the area due to the leadership vacuum in the Ogbia Brotherhood.
Additionally, Odo Esther, Women Leader of the Grassroots Mobilisation Initiative (GMI), condemned the reported excessive force used by some police operatives in attempting to disperse the women.
The women appealed to the state government to lift the ban and facilitate the conduct of the Ogbia Brotherhood polls soon.
Other top officials present at the meeting included the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Irorodamie Komonibo; and the Chairman of Ogbia Local Government Area, Golden Jeremiah.
