The KEFFES Rural Development Foundation (KRDF) suspended three chiefs on Friday for their alleged involvement in a botched attempt to derail the organization.
Chief Christopher Tuduo, an Ex-officio member who announced the suspension, stated that the action was taken in accordance with the foundation’s rules.
The acronym KEFESS refers to the eight Chevron Nigeria Limited host communities in the Brass and Southern Ijaw Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Koluama 1 and 2, Ezetu 1 and 2, Foropa, Fish Town, Ekeni, and Sangana are located along Bayelsa’s Atlantic coast.
According to Tuduo, the suspended chiefs are foundation members who represent their communities on the KRDF board of directors.
Chief Manash Oluzulu (Foropa), Chief Dekumo Sunday-Regent (Ekeni), and Chief Wagibowei Dowi are the chiefs (Fish Town).
Tuduo claimed they were suspended for failing to appear at the enlarge foundation’s Board of Trustees meeting to explain their alleged involvement in the organization’s lingering crisis.
The chiefs were accused of supporting the Timiebi Amadein group’s decision to change leadership through the back door.
Tuduo explained that the enlarged meeting of the foundation’s Board of Trustees (BOT) was presided over by Israel Igbousa, the BOT Secretary.
He added that the board also decided that the communities represented by the suspended chiefs representatives should deliberate and propose replacements to fill the vacant seats left by the disciplinary measure.
“The meeting is actually the result of the previous gathering to reach a decision on the crisis that is rocking the foundation.”
“Today’s meeting is one agenda meeting, but unfortunately, the three BOT members who were supposed to be here today to answer questions about their role in the lingering crisis were unable to make it, but were represented by some community chiefs.”
“As a result, the General Assembly of the council, which represents the general stakeholders, met and decided to suspend the three BOT members from the board.”
“It must be clear that their communities are not suspended, but only the individuals.” We expect the affected communities to write to the council and tell them what they want to do with them, and the council will do the same.
“In addition, the council has appointed me, Christopher Tuduo, to act on behalf of the BOT members.”
“They did so because they are elderly and cannot conduct RDF Business.” I was taken aback by the change, but I promised to accept responsibility.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Bayelsa High Court nullified the KRDF chairmanship election and ordered a new election in its ruling in a suit brought before it by Amadein.
However, the KRDF filed an appeal, and the appellate court ordered that the lower court’s ruling be stayed pending the conclusion of the appeal, but the claimant attempted to install a rival CEO.