The Bayelsa State Government has brokered a resolution to the prolonged leadership crisis in Twon-Brass Kingdom, with all parties agreeing to withdraw pending court cases related to the dispute.
Key Highlights:
- Bayelsa government resolved the leadership crisis in Twon-Brass Kingdom.
- All parties agreed to withdraw court cases related to the dispute.
- Five paramount rulers will retain equal authority under a temporary coordinating arrangement.
- Beinmo Rufus-Spiff was appointed Coordinating Amadabo for one year.
- A committee was set up to draft a constitution for the kingdom within eight weeks.
The government also directed officially recognised communities across the state to operate under written constitutions that comply with the Bayelsa State Community Administration and Chieftaincy Law, describing such frameworks as essential for stable grassroots governance.
Speaking during a meeting with leaders of the five communities that make up Twon-Brass Kingdom at Government House in Yenagoa, Deputy Governor Dr. Peter Akpe said the intervention was aimed at preserving peace and strengthening local administration.
According to Akpe, the five recognised paramount rulers will continue to enjoy equal authority, but one of them will serve as a coordinating leader for a maximum of one year until a substantive Amanyanabo is installed.
He announced that Chief Beinmo Rufus-Spiff of Cameron-Ama will assume the role of Coordinating Amadabo with effect from June 17, 2026. The position is intended to ensure continuity in the kingdom’s affairs without conferring superior powers over the other traditional rulers.
The deputy governor also unveiled a five-member committee tasked with drafting a constitution for Twon-Brass Kingdom. The committee will be chaired by Chief Claudius Kune-Igoni of Kemmer-Ama and includes one representative from each of the five communities: Chief Sisei Eke-Spiff Samuel (Ada-Ama), Chief James Sokari (Cameron-Ama), Chief Randy Sobogboma (Shidi-Ama), and Chief Bio Gbeghasa (Sambo-Ama). Members have been given eight weeks to complete the assignment.
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Commending the parties for their cooperation, Akpe urged community leaders to prioritise unity and collective progress.
He explained that the coordinating arrangement is temporary and will remain in place only until a new king is enthroned. If that process is not completed within one year, another coordinator will be selected before the current tenure expires.
“All five Amadabos have equal standing. The coordinator’s responsibility is simply to oversee administrative matters and provide regular reports to the others. It does not place one ruler above the rest,” he said.
Akpe added that all ongoing legal actions connected to the dispute should be discontinued as part of the reconciliation process.
He further stressed the importance of constitutional governance at the community level, noting that the absence of clear guiding documents often contributes to leadership disagreements and avoidable conflicts.
Referring to the proposed Community Administration Bill before the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, the deputy governor said the legislation would require every government-recognised community to adopt a constitution consistent with state chieftaincy laws.
According to him, this framework is intended to improve local administration, reduce disputes, and provide a more transparent basis for community governance.
Traditional rulers who addressed the meeting included Chief Ralph Sambo of Sambo-Ama, Chief Serena Dokubo-Spiff of Ada-Ama, Chief Beinmo Rufus-Spiff of Cameron-Ama, Chief Oton Efebo-Shidi of Shidi-Ama, and Chief Israel Sunny Goli of Kemmer-Ama.
