Bayelsa: Diri warns youths against unlawful removal of paramount rulers

Governor of Bayelsa state, Senator Douye Diri, has read the riot act to youth of Ogboinbiri community in Southern Ijaw local government area and other communities in the state to desist from unlawful removal of paramount rulers.

Governor Diri also advised youth to conduct themselves peacefully during protests in order not to cause chaos or destruction to government and private property.

Senator Diri gave the warning Tuesday at a meeting with Ogboinbiri community, which had been embroiled in crisis, in Government House, Yenagoa.

The governor said there were laws guiding chieftaincy issues in the state and that any chief or traditional ruler recognised by the government cannot be removed without following the due process.

He noted that the youth of Ogboinbiri community infringed on the state’s chieftaincy law by attempting to forcefully remove their paramount ruler.

While condemning the action of the youth and the community development committee, the governor said the youth president and CDC chairman as well as the paramount ruler would remain in their positions and directed that the youth president and CDC chairman write a letter of apology to the state government with a promise to work with the paramount ruler.

The governor further warned that the full weight of the law would descend on anyone who forcefully remove a government-recognised paramount ruler.