DELGA Chairman Urges Iboroma House To Maintain Status Quo Over Chieftaincy Disputation
••• Calls For Unity Amongst Opposing Camps


In continuation of his efforts to resolve the lingering disputation over the paramount headship of the Chief Tom Fouchee Iboroma Group of Houses of Bakana, the Executive Chairman of Degema Local Government Area, Hon. Michael John Williams, has urged chiefs, elders, youths and members of the compound to maintain status quo.

Speaking during a stakeholders meeting at the Council Secretariat, Tuesday, the Council Chairman stated that, for the interest of peace and cohesion, the issue of appointing a substantive paramount head of the compound be kept on hold, while upholding the initial unanimous decision of members of the compound, which recognized Chief Hon. Bob John Fouchee Iboroma as Chairman of the Iboroma Council of Chiefs.

He maintained that it was not the interest of the Council authority to meddle into chieftaincy matters by either appointing or recognizing any chief, as it was not within the Council's purview to do so, but to ensure that peace reigned across all communities of the LGA.

"This meeting was not called to appoint any chief, because it is not within our powers to do that. It is rather to make sure that there is peace in Iboroma compound and Bakana at large.

"Whenever you are ready as a compound, you can go ahead and appoint your head Chief in a manner that it will not disturb public peace or cause crisis.

"Having carefully listened to all parties, it is our decision that let status quo be maintained, which means that the compound's earlier decision, empowering Chief Bob John Fouchee Iboroma as Chairman of Iboroma Council of Chiefs, stands," the Council Boss stated.

The DELGA Sheriff however, called on the Caretaker chief to work assiduously and unite the entire compound for the common good of everyone.

He stated that no one should be marginalized in the affairs of the compound, adding that meetings and other engagements should involve all parties, warning that the Council would not hesitate to deal decisively with anyone who flouts its efforts to maintain peace in the LGA.

Giving the vote of thanks, Chief Bob John Fouchee Iboroma, while thanking the Chairman for handling the matter "maturely," pledged to carry everyone along.

It would be recalled that the Council Chairman had earlier placed a ban on all factional gatherings in the Iboroma compound, pending the resolution of the matter, brought before the Council by the Iboroma people.

The compound had been enmeshed in chieftaincy tussle for over 35 years between the late Chief Jenkinson Bibi Tom Iboroma and Chief Norman Tom Fouchee Iboroma and after the death of the former, the head of the Chief John Fouchee Iboroma House, Chief Bob John Fouchee Iboroma, joined the race for the paramount headship of the Chief Tom Fouchee Iboroma House.

The meeting had in attendance the Council Chairman, Hon. Michael John Williams, chiefs, elders, youths, Councillor representing Ward 5, Hon. Tombo Dokubo, Chief of Staff, Hon. Ipalibo Yellowe, Secretary to Council, Hon. Nicolas Harry, as well as security operatives in the area.


Daerefa-a Christopher Braide
Chief Press Secretary,
Degema Local Government Council.

October 11, 2022