Bayelsa puts an end to Twon-Brass dispute, directs parties to drop lawsuits

The Bayelsa State Government has successfully resolved the longstanding leadership dispute in Twon-Brass Kingdom, thanks to its intervention and an agreement among all parties to withdraw ongoing court cases related to the crisis, as announced by Deputy Governor Dr. Peter Akpe during a meeting in Yenagoa.

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As part of the agreement, the government has directed all state-recognised communities to operate with constitutions that align with the provisions of the Bayelsa State Community Administration and Chieftaincy Law, aiming to promote effective grassroots leadership and reduce communal conflicts.

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Deputy Governor Dr. Peter Akpe urged residents to support government efforts aimed at sustaining peace and stability across the state, while outlining the resolutions reached at the meeting with the leadership of the five communities in Twon-Brass Kingdom and senior government officials.

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Akpe explained that the five paramount rulers in the kingdom possess equal authority, but one of them will serve as a coordinating leader for a maximum period of one year to prevent a leadership vacuum, with the arrangement remaining in place pending the enthronement of a new Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass Kingdom.

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Chief Beinmo Rufus-Spiff has been appointed as the Coordinating Amadabo for a one-year tenure, effective June 17, 2026, as announced by the deputy governor, who also unveiled a five-member constitution drafting committee comprising one representative from each of the five communities.

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Chief Claudius Kune-Igoni of Kemmer-Ama has been appointed as chairman of the constitution drafting committee, which has been given eight weeks to complete its assignment and comprises representatives from Ada-Ama, Cameron-Ama, Shidi-Ama, and Sambo-Ama.

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According to Akpe, the Coordinating Amadabo will oversee the affairs of the kingdom, including financial matters, and provide monthly reports to the other Amadabos, while all pending court cases arising from the leadership dispute will be withdrawn as part of the peace agreement.

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Akpe stated that the absence of written constitutions in many communities often creates room for disagreements that can escalate into communal crises, emphasizing the importance of functional community constitutions that will enhance administration and reduce recurring leadership disputes.

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The deputy governor commended the parties for their maturity and peaceful disposition during the reconciliation process and urged them to continue to work together for the development of the kingdom, stressing the need for communities to adopt constitutions consistent with the state’s chieftaincy laws.

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A proposed Community Administration Bill currently before the Bayelsa State House of Assembly includes provisions requiring all government-recognised communities to adopt constitutions consistent with the state’s chieftaincy laws, as disclosed by Akpe.

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Paramount rulers of Sambo-Ama, Ada-Ama, Cameron-Ama, Shidi-Ama, and Kemmer-Ama, including Chief Ralph Sambo, Chief Serena Dokubo-Spiff, Chief Beinmo Rufus-Spiff, Chief Oton Efebo-Shidi, and Chief Israel Sunny Goli, made presentations at the meeting.