By: Admin
Paramount Ruler of Ekpangbala community in Ogale, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, Chief Kenneth Nwafor and other people of the community have condemned the alleged attempt by Chief Bebe Godwin Okpabi to cause dispute in the Ogale Traditional Rulers’ Council.
Chief Bebe Okpabi is the government recognized paramount ruler of Ogale Eleme clan.
Addressing reporters, Chief Kenneth Nwafor said tension had mounted the community when he got the information that some loyalist of Chief Okpabi were plotting to dethrone him and some chiefs of Ogale, at the Ekpangbala town hall.
He said “In the early hours of 29th June, being Saturday, I got the news that some loyalists of Chief Bebe Godwin Maduabuchi Okpabi have plotted to dethrone some chiefs who were in support of the 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.
He continued that:“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”
Nwafor further urged the people to continue to live in harmony with one another, as Ogale is the only community they have.
Also speaking, 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 advised the youths to shun all forms of social vices that may lead to crisis in the communities and embrace peace, adding that they should not allow themselves to be used as tools for communal crisis.
Meanwhile, Chief Bebe Okpabi was yet to react to the allegation at the time of this report.
