Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has approved the dethronement of the suspended Paramount Ruler of Swali Community, Chief Wilcox Job Seiyefa, over allegations linked to insecurity in the community.

The decision was announced by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Yenagoa. He said the action followed the recommendations of a fact-finding committee set up to investigate the security situation in Swali Community.

According to the state government, the committee consulted community leaders and security agencies before concluding that the community’s traditional leadership failed to provide the firm leadership needed to address the rising insecurity.

Based on its findings and the provisions of the Bayelsa State Chieftaincy Law, Governor Diri approved the withdrawal of the monarch’s Staff of Office in the interest of peace, order and good governance.

The governor also directed that the process for electing a new Paramount Ruler of Swali Community should commence immediately and be concluded within three months. A five-member electoral committee has been constituted to oversee the exercise.

Chief Seiyefa and his Council of Chiefs were initially suspended in May 2025 following allegations of aiding or failing to curb criminal and cult-related activities in the community. The dethronement marks the culmination of the government’s disciplinary measures aimed at restoring security and stability in Swali Community. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.