ELIZABETH VINCENT, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Government has announced the dissolution of two parallel electoral committees established by the opposing parties to conduct the Amananaowei election in the Bulou-Orua village of Sagbama Local Government Area.
A five-member Electoral Committee has been established by the government to replace the dissolved committees, and it will be supervised by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. Within the next three weeks, the election must be held by the newly formed committee.
The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, made the announcement during a meeting with factional leaders and other stakeholders from Bulou-Orua community at his office in Government House, Yenagoa, over the weekend.
In a statement published by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Doubara Atasi, Senator Ewhrudjakpo asked the dissolved committees to give over all election-related papers to the new committee. He also directed the government-appointed commission to extend the deadline for the selling of nomination forms by one week so that more potential candidates for the Amananaowei seat might participate in the election.
The Deputy Governor was concerned that Bulou-Orua, which should serve as a model for other communities in the area, had become divided. He advised the people to put their differences aside and work together for the community’s sake.
The newly formed electoral committee is made up of representatives from the Ministries of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Justice, and Community Development, as well as Chief Perekeme Bertola, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Chieftaincy Affairs, and the Special Adviser on Community Development.
Several key figures attended the meeting, including Hon. God bless Oyinke, Member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly representing Sagbama Constituency 1; Dr. Peter Akpe, Chief of Staff to the Governor; Comrade Gowon Toruyouyei, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Deputy Governor; Hon. Godspwer Keku, Commissioner for Culture; Chief Thompson Amule, Local Government Commissioner; and Hon. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, Commissioner for Information.
Other attendees included Mr. Luka Obiri, a former Head of Service in Bayelsa; Hon. Imomotimi Fanama, General Manager of Bayelsa Transport Company; Chief Ariye Zidafamor, Acting Amananaowei of Bulou-Orua; and Chief S.F. Nanakumo, the Amaokosiowei (oldest man) of the community.
