Over 2,000 signatories back suspension of Ikebiri Monarch in Bayelsa

The people of Ikebiri Kingdom in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have reportedly suspended their paramount ruler, His Highness Chief Francis Timi Ododo, citing claims of dereliction of duty and disobedience to traditional authorities.

The suspension, which took place during a general meeting held on Saturday, July 26, 2025, was backed by over 2,000 signatories from the three cluster communities of Ikebiri 1, 2, and 3.

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According to stakeholders, the monarch failed to perform core traditional responsibilities and consistently disobeyed the directives of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council.

A major point of contention was his alleged refusal to call a general meeting for the kingdom over a ten-year period, in direct violation of constitutional provisions and traditional protocols.

He was also accused of neglecting to initiate the electoral process to replace the kingdom’s late Deputy Paramount Ruler, who passed away in 2015.

In response to the leadership vacuum, the community has appointed a caretaker committee to oversee the kingdom’s affairs.

The newly selected committee includes Chief Lumumba Tuke as Chairman, Zebulon Festus as Vice Chairman, Ephram Fabo as Secretary, Melford Amayouowei as Public Relations Officer, Olu Newton as Financial Secretary, and Abule Abrahim as Treasurer.

A resolution issued at the end of the meeting stated: “His Highness has demonstrated a clear neglect of his constitutional obligations as the traditional head of Ikebiri Kingdom… and has shown deliberate defiance to the directives of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council.”

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The document cited his failure to appoint a constitution amendment committee and his long-standing refusal to conduct a bye-election to fill the deputy leadership position as key reasons for his suspension.