Two days ago, I led a delegation to visit and congratulate the newly installed Pere of Kumbowei clan, His Royal Majesty King Buloeyi Sufadoh, Embaremba the 5th Pere of Kumbo clan (my maternal clan) in Sagbama Town.
My delegation and I arrived firstly to condole with the King, the Embarebazi family, the entire Kumbowei kingdom, the state and and Ijaw nation on the passing of His Royal Majesty King Akada Embareba the 4th which paved way for the installation of the new king, his son.
I congratulated the Kumbowei council of chiefs of which I am a member as the Izon-ebe Finiowei of Kumbo clan and a member of the council of chiefs in both Bayelsa which is the headquarters and in Delta State.
I expressed my happiness on the development which led to the peaceful succession of His Majesty. I stated that Ijaw leaders and communities need to understand that for the traditional institution to be respected, there must be certainty in succession and remove all vestiges of partisan politics. There must be respect for the ancient traditions and rules governing leadership and succession in our clans in Ijaw land.
In Ijaw land, succession to ancient Chieftaincy institutions has been reduced by so called “educated big men” to be like councillorship elections which is an aberration and highly undignified. While praying for the repose of the late King of kingdom and congratulating the new king I restated my very well known position about the need for stakeholders in clans and kingdoms to save the traditional institution in Ijaw land. Those who are wealthy, connected and powerful should go outside and conquer for the Ijaw nation and not distabilize their communities to show that they are powerful and strong enough to change existing systems. The institution is called traditional, not democratic.
I also use the opportunity to state how as a believer of Ijaw tradition and its traditional institutions, as governor I initiated the most comprehensive traditional reform in any state in Nigeria by which we give responsibility and recognition to every traditional ruler who is in charge of any Community in Bayelsa State as a way of supporting them as partners in government. I further protected their tenure and insulated them from political or other influences. We did not demote any traditional ruler, rather we created a class that never existed at all but only in Bayelsa, a fourth class to accommodate all and approved and paid salaries and stipends which my successor is continuing with.
I call on traditional rulers to be apolitical, receive and bless every contestant that visits and make their communities and domains peaceful, and safe for every party and aspirant to visit, pay royal homage and canvass for votes and they should call on all contestants to maintain the peace.
I congratulate him and wish him a long and successful reign. He can be sure of my support and that of others. I call for support of the whole kingdom and that whenever my support is needed as a high chief of this kingdom, I will be available as four of my mothers are from this kingdom and I don’t take the honour and support the kingdom has given me for granted.
I also stated that as campaigns going on, even if I am not there the Kingdom should know that I am still the owner of the boat.
Ozubogu! Ozubogu!! Ozubogu!!! Suo Timi ondo o!
HSD.
