The Bayelsa State Government has resolved the lingering leadership tussle in the Twon-Brass Kingdom following its intervention and the agreement of the feuding parties to immediately withdraw all pending court cases relating to the dispute.
The government also directed all government-recognised communities in the state to administer their affairs based on constitutions that align with the provisions of the state Community Administration and Chieftaincy Law to ensure effective grassroots leadership.
The Deputy Governor, Dr Peter Akpe, disclosed this at a meeting with the leadership of the five communities in the Twon-Brass Kingdom and other top government officials at Government House, Yenagoa, on Thursday.
He urged the people to complement government efforts in sustaining the prevailing peace in the state.
Highlighting the key resolutions reached at the meeting, Akpe noted that although the five paramount rulers have equal powers, one of them would serve as a coordinator for a maximum period of one year to avoid a leadership vacuum in the kingdom.
The Deputy Governor stressed that the arrangement would remain in place pending the enthronement of a new Amanyanabo. He announced the appointment of Chief Beinmo Rufus-Spiff as the Coordinating Amadabo for the next one year, with effect from June 17, 2026.
Akpe also announced the constitution of a five-member committee to draft a constitution for the kingdom, with one nominee from each of the five communities. Chief Claudius Kune-Igoni of Kemmer-Ama will serve as chairman of the committee.
Other members are Chief Sisei Eke-Spiff Samuel (Ada-Ama), Chief James Sokari (Cameron-Ama), Chief Randy Sobogboma (Shidi-Ama) and Chief Bio Gbeghasa (Sambo-Ama). The committee has been given eight weeks to complete its assignment.
The deputy governor commended all parties for their calm and mature disposition throughout the deliberations and urged the paramount rulers and other critical stakeholders in Twon-Brass to see themselves as “brothers from one large family” working for the progress of the kingdom.
He said, “On the issue of leadership, the five Amadabos have equal powers, but at particular times, such as the situation the kingdom is in now, there will be a need for a coordinating Amadabo.
“That coordination does not give the coordinator any exclusive powers. You are just a coordinator among equals for a maximum tenure of one year, as agreed. But if a king is not enthroned, there will be another coordinator who will be elected a month before the expiration of the one-year tenure.
“We also agreed that the Amadabo of Cameron-Ama should start the coordinating process beginning from today (June 17, 2026). He will be in the saddle coordinating the affairs of the kingdom on all issues, including finances, and will report to the Amadabos once every month.
“All court cases should also be withdrawn. And finally, we resolved that Twon-Brass needs a constitution as a matter of urgency. Consequently, a five-member constitution drafting committee has been set up with nominations from each of the Amadabos.”
Akpe also emphasised the need for communities across the state to have functional constitutions to facilitate effective administration and reduce conflicts, in line with the peace and security agenda of the administration of Governor Douye Diri.
According to him, the absence of written and functional constitutions in many communities often creates room for unnecessary disagreements and leadership disputes that can escalate into communal crises.
He said, “We have proposed in the Community Administration Bill currently before the House of Assembly that all communities recognised by the state government should have a constitution.
“We have also created a provision for fourth-class stools. As long as you are recognised by the government as a community in the state, you must have a constitution. Everything in a community’s constitution must be in tandem with the State Chieftaincy Law and should not go ultra vires. That will also help us administer our communities effectively.”
Those who made presentations at the meeting included the paramount ruler of Sambo-Ama, Chief Ralph Sambo; the paramount ruler of Ada-Ama, Chief Serena Dokubo-Spiff; and the paramount ruler of Cameron-Ama, Chief Beinmo Rufus-Spiff.
Others were Chief Oton Efebo-Shidi and Chief Israel Sunny Goli, the paramount rulers of Shidi-Ama and Kemmer-Ama, respectively.
