YENAGOA — In a major executive action aimed at tackling localized crime and administrative instability, the Bayelsa State Government has officially announced the absolute dethronement and removal of the previously suspended paramount ruler of Swali Community, His Highness Chief Wilcox Job Seiyefa. The heavy state intervention follows months of rigorous investigation into critical security concerns, communal restiveness, and allegations of systemic leadership failure within the volatile Swali domain, a strategic suburban hub located within the Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state capital.
The decisive administrative verdict was formally made public on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, during a high-stakes, closed-door emergency meeting held with key elders, youth representatives, and security stakeholders from the Swali Community inside the Government House in Yenagoa. The official dethronement announcement was delivered by the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Right Honourable Peter Akpe, who acted with full executive authority on behalf of the Executive Governor, Senator Douye Diri.
According to formal briefs released by the state's communication team, this extreme disciplinary action was taken following the comprehensive evaluation and subsequent adoption of the core recommendations compiled by an independent judicial fact-finding committee. The investigative panel had been set up by the state capital administration to probe the deep-seated security breakdowns, youth restiveness, and criminal activities that have disrupted commercial operations within the Swali axis over the past year.
Chief Seiyefa had initially been placed on an indefinite suspension from his royal stool alongside all members of his traditional Council of Chiefs in May 2025. This initial suspension occurred after multiple intelligence reports and community petitions surfaced, directly linking the traditional leadership structure to a worrying rise in gang violence, pipeline vandalism, market extortion, and generalized unrest across the community.
The state government emphasized that the final decision to completely withdraw executive recognition and strip the traditional ruler of his royal status was executed in strict accordance with the statutory provisions of the Bayelsa State Chieftaincy Law. The state legal framework gives the sitting governor the absolute constitutional right to intervene, suspend, or permanently remove any traditional ruler whose conduct or leadership failure threatens the maintenance of public peace, civic order, and good governance within the territory.
Addressing the gathered community representatives and security chiefs at the executive chambers, Deputy Governor Peter Akpe explained that the administration of Governor Douye Diri did not arrive at this serious conclusion lightly. Instead, the government meticulously reviewed the detailed field testimonies, forensic intelligence, and structural findings gathered by the investigative committee before signing the final dethronement decree.
“The fact-finding committee engaged various stakeholders in Swali Community, and also got advice from security agencies on the way forward. From the recommendations of the committee, following their findings, it is clear that, as at the time those actions causing violence and insecurity were taken, the leadership was weak and not firm to take decisions to manage the situation. So, following the recommendations and the provisions of the state Chieftaincy Law, His Excellency, the Governor, has approved the withdrawal of the Staff of Office of His Highness, Chief Wilcox Job Seiyefa, the suspended paramount ruler of Swali Community in the interest of peace. The Government will facilitate the election of a new paramount ruler in Swali Community by setting up an electoral committee, and the election must be conducted within three months starting from 30th of June, 2026,” Akpe stated.
Following the immediate removal of the monarch, the Bayelsa State Government issued a strict directive mandating that the formal selection process for a new, qualified paramount ruler must commence immediately. The state has set a non-negotiable three-month timeline to conclude the entire succession process, ensuring that Swali does not suffer from a prolonged leadership vacuum that could be exploited by criminal elements.
To prevent any administrative confusion during this transition period, the government clarified that the members of the current Swali Caretaker Committee, who were appointed to manage the community's affairs following the May 2025 suspensions, will remain in active office. They will continue to oversee daily municipal administration until a new, democratically selected traditional ruler emerges. However, the state added a strict caveat that any member of the current caretaker team who harbors ambitions to contest for the vacant royal stool or any other elective position in the upcoming selection process must resign their position immediately to maintain the impartiality of the transition.
The dethroned monarch has been handed a strict legal ultimatum to return his official Certificate of Recognition and royal Staff of Office to the office of the Secretary of the Yenagoa Local Government Area within one calendar month. Failure to comply with this directive will result in severe legal and security consequences. Once these instruments of power are recovered, the local government secretariat will transmit them directly back to the governor's office for permanent cancellation.
Deputy Governor Akpe used the state forum to highly commend law-abiding traditional institutions, cooperative community elders, and various intelligence agencies for their continued support of the Diri administration's ongoing efforts to maintain peace across the Niger Delta region. He concluded by delivering a firm warning to all sitting traditional rulers across Bayelsa State, urging them to thoroughly study, understand, and comply with the rules of the state’s Chieftaincy Law, noting that the administration will not hesitate to wield sanctions against any royal father who fails to police their domain effectively.
Meanwhile, to ensure the transition is handled smoothly, the state government has formally inaugurated a five-member electoral committee tasked with overseeing the selection of the new Ebeniken of Swali. This electoral panel is chaired by High Chief Bertola Perekeme, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Chieftaincy Affairs. The committee also includes Barrister Yinkore Terimoh, Gesiye Obireke, and Barrister Richard Perekeme, while Mrs. Domo-Spiff Boma will serve as the administrative secretary, charged with ensuring a peaceful and transparent selection process.
