Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has approved the removal of the suspended paramount ruler of Swali Community, His Highness, Chief Wilcox Seiyefa, from his Ebeniken chieftaincy throne.
Governor Diri, who made the announcement through his deputy, Dr Peter Akpe, during a meeting with stakeholders of Swali Community in Government House, Yenagoa, on Tuesday, said the removal of the paramount ruler was based on recommendations from a fact-finding committee.
It may be recalled that the dethroned Ebeniken, alongside his Council of Chiefs, was suspended by the state government on the 21st of May, 2025, following allegations of aiding and abetting insecurity in the Swali Community.
Announcing the withdrawal of recognition of the Ebeniken, the Deputy Governor said the action was in line with Section Six of the state’s Chieftaincy Law, especially in the area of maintaining peace, order and good governance in the state.
According to him, the Governor had directed that the process of electing a new paramount ruler, which he described as a major and important community, must commence immediately and be completed within three months.
