From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Stakeholders from Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have called on prominent sons and daughters including Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to intervene in the leadership crisis rocking the Ogbia Brotherhood.
The fold of the umbrella body of Ogbia sons and daughters, Ogbia Brotherhood, had been thrown into crisis with series of failed settlement moves and litigants approaching the Court in a suit numbered OHC/13/2023 to sack the interim executives and give order for the appointment of a substantive Executives for the group.
The case, which came up on Tuesday at the Ogbia High Court sitting in Yenagoa with Fedude Zimughan appearing for the claimants, and Earnest Omilole appearing for the defendants.
The presiding Judge of the Ogbia High Court, Justice S.W. Amaduobogha, however, adjourned the matter till the 28th of March, 2024.
But the traditional rulers, Chiefs and women, who were in the court in their numbers, called on contending factions in the crisis to withdraw the ongoing Court case and settle out of court for a substantive leadership for the Ogbia brotherhood.
Chief Joseph Joshua, a Compound Chief in Otuabagi community stressed the need for constitution of a substantive executive for the Ogbia brotherhood.
Chief Joseph Joshua, said based on the Constitution of Ogbia Brotherhood, the current caretaker leadership is illegal having stayed in office since 2019.
He expressed worry that the matter even got to the court, saying it is an issue that would have been easily resolved and called on all parties to put the interest of the brotherhood ahead of other personal considerations.
Chief Joshua expressed optimism that at the end of the day the matter would be settled in the interest of the Ogbia people.
Also speaking, Dr. Dorcas Agboge, expressed frustration over the ongoing court case, insisting that it is a matter that should be resolved within the Ogbia people.
She remarked that the brotherhood should be used to foster the interest of Ogbia people and not those of a few persons, stressing that all hands must be on deck to ensure a peaceful resolution of the issue.