Kingship protests: HRH Afro appeals for calm, assures supporters of justice

• Says he reposes confidence in Bayelsa Govt

By Timi Black

Following the protest by Aghoro ll Community over what they described as mischievous moves by Bayelsa state government to upturn the victory of the new highness elect, HRH Afro Biukeme, Amananaowei-elect of Aghoro ll Community has called for calm among protesting members of the Community, adding that he reposed confidence on Bayelsa State governor, Sen. Douye Diri and his deputy, Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo to do justice to the decision of the community.

The Amananaowei Afro, stated this during an exclusive interview with Congress correspondent in his Warri resident, shortly after the Aghoro ll Community protest.

According to him: “I just received a call that protest is going on in my community. I thought I have passed a message to them. They should be calmed, there should be no violence, since the government has already given assurance that there will be justice. We should have confidence in the government. So, I advice everybody to chill out, as the father of all in Community.

The statement reads: “You don’t play politics with traditional issues, I have been installed by the ancestors as the Amananaowei of Aghoro ll community. The Bayelsa state government is aware of that, I don’t crown myself, the community people choose to crown me.

“As regards the 14-day ultimatum, as a leader I don’t want anything that will bring violence, the Bayelsa state government know what to do.
I have been told on the community’s position. The 14days ultimatum is the decision of the community. It is my advice that the Bayelsa Government should work with it to address this issue once and for all. They demanding for a staff of office to be presented to me. I think that is a right demand. I hope the Government of Bayelsa State is hearing it. I believe this is what the Government of state is working to achieve.

His words: “Like me I don’t like bloodshed but I don’t know, all depends on the way Bayelsa government will handle the issue. There is peace all these days. On my own capacity I have been able to control the community and that there should be no violence, assuring them that our mandate will be instact. We are already on ground. I have confidence in the government, by God’s grace the right thing will be done for the interest of peace.

On the damaged properties and money stolen,
“For now, if I think of those things now, there is going to be violence- violence everywhere. The Community is upset and they want to go for revenge. So, what I do is to calm them and myself. I shouldn’t be angry because when am angry, everywhere will be boiling. You know in this life nobody can damage my property and get away with it, it is not possible. From my childhood to date it has never happened.

“However, I think the Bayelsa government will going to do something about it to forestall unwanted violence in the community”, HRH Afro added.