Elizabeth Vincent, Yenagoa
Tension is brewing in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State following the Bayelsa State Government’s decision to relocate the headquarters of the Kolo Creek Rural Development Authority (RDA) from Kolo community to Emeyal II.
Kolo is the hometown of Mr. George Turnah, a former close aide to Governor Douye Diri, who has since fallen out with the governor and aligned himself politically with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The Kolo Creek RDA, one of the unrecognized local government areas created by former Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha in 2000, has long operated from Kolo. However, the recent move to shift the headquarters to Emeyal II has sparked protests and strong opposition from Kolo residents.
Residents argue that the relocation is politically motivated and aimed at punishing the community due to Turnah’s fallout with Governor Diri. They view the decision as marginalization and a deliberate attempt to sideline Kolo from ongoing developmental plans.
Of particular concern is a reported proposal by the state government to the National Assembly, seeking the creation of a new local government area named Ogbia North. The proposed headquarters of this new LGA is Emeyal II, despite Kolo being the current seat of Ogbia Constituency III.
Chief Solomon Ederi Aginaye, 1st Deputy Agholo of the Kolo Kingdom, expressed the community’s anger over what he described as a betrayal. He said the people of Kolo have protested to register their dissatisfaction and emphasized that their support for Governor Diri during both terms has not translated into tangible benefits for the community.
He called on Governor Diri to rise above personal political differences and prioritize the interest of the state, warning that the move could lead to avoidable conflict in the region.
“We appeal to President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House Tajudeen Abbas, and Minister Wike to intervene and stop this injustice against the peace-loving people of Kolo. The headquarters should remain in Kolo, not Emeyal,” Aginaye said.
Responding to the outcry, Governor Diri met with representatives of both Kolo and Emeyal communities at Government House. He clarified that the meeting aimed to maintain peace and order in Ogbia Constituency III amid growing concerns about the relocation.
Governor Diri insisted that Kolo remains the recognized headquarters of the Kolo Creek RDA. He explained that the state received notice from the Federal Government about the creation of new LGAs late, forcing the administration to act within a limited timeframe.
He also noted that no new local governments have officially been created yet, emphasizing that historically, civilian administrations have not had the authority to create LGAs.
