Oyiakiri Clan Turns New Page: Sarakiri Takes Over After 48 Years of Igbagara’s Reign

By Osaro Michael, Benin

HRH James Sarakiri has emerged as the 4th Clan Head of the Ibeni Oyiakiri Clan following a unanimous election held on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, in Aleibiri, Ekeremor Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

The Amananaowei of Aleibiri secured 47 “Yes” votes from the full electoral college, representing all 18 communities of the clan. No dissenting votes were recorded.

The poll marks the first succession exercise since the passing of King Joshua Igbagara, who led the clan from 1977 until his death in 2025.

Chairman of the Electoral Committee, HRH Asima Kemekeme, said the Ibeni Oyiakiri Clan, which cuts across Ekeremor and Sagbama LGAs, has had only three clan heads in its centuries-long history.

According to him, King Igbagara took over from Buguma Daunimigha, installed in 1965, while the pioneer occupant of the stool was Amgbatu.

The clan received official government recognition in 1998, with Aleibiri issued the first certificate under King Igbagara. Seventeen other communities were later gazetted in 2015 during the administration of former Governor Seriake Dickson.

Observers described the exercise as one of the calmest chieftaincy elections in Bayelsa in recent times.

HRH Nimizigha Agaba of Odoni, who monitored the process, said: “Everywhere was calm, quiet, and peaceful. This outcome shows the clan is becoming more united.”

Mr. Ondo Gbekumo, Deputy State Coordinator of the Community Safety Corps, credited the hitch-free process to early security planning and the maturity of delegates. “It is indeed a great day. I congratulate our King-Elect. May your reign be peaceful,” he stated.

An official of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Alexander Peretu, also rated the poll as “one of the freest and most transparent” chieftaincy elections the ministry has supervised.

Hon. Tare Porri, member representing Ekeremor Constituency I in the Bayelsa Assembly, urged the King-Elect to work with community rulers and the State Council of Traditional Rulers to draft a clan constitution and set up a Council of Chiefs.

Dr. Seperegha Godsgift, speaking for the delegates, called for total backing for the new monarch.

In his acceptance speech, HRH Sarakiri said the mandate comes with serious responsibility.

“The task before me is enormous. To be honest, I stand before you with mixed feelings. Leading Oyiakiri in today’s world is no small assignment,” he said.

He urged the clan to draw inspiration from the humility and resilience of the Wright Brothers, and praised three indigenes who, he said, endured harassment but stayed committed to peace.

The 5-man Electoral Committee was led by HRH Asima Kemekeme as Chairman, with HRH D.M. Apelebiri as Vice Chairman, HRH Igbagara Kemeasuodei as Secretary, and HRHs Igbudu Eniyekesibe and Amos Bethany as members. Committee members were non-voting.

The 18 communities that produced delegates are: Toru-Ebeni, Aleibiri, Akeddei, Ogbosuware, Anyama-Ibeni, Lalagbene, Isoni, Adagbabiri, Ossiama, Kunou, Egbopuloama, Angalaoweigbene, Awegbene, Adiegbe, Ogbunughene, Ogbogbene, Odoni, and Tie-Tiegbene.