Gbaramatu: Pepeama Community Chairman Under Fire As Pozi Family Calls For His Removal

The Pozi Family of Pepeama is demanding the removal of the community chairman, Mr. Mafi Awologbin, citing his long-expired tenure of over 20 years and his disrespect for the directives of the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, His Majesty, Oboro-Gbaraun II, Aketekpe, Agadagba.

Moses Mala, a representative of the Pozi Family, expressed concerns that Awologbin’s continued stay in office poses an existential threat to the family’s stake in Pepeama.

He said that the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom had acknowledged the family’s complaint and directed the creation of a separate Pozi Quarters in Pepeama for peaceful coexistence and equitable benefits.

However, Awologbin has allegedly denied Pozi Family members access to Pepeama and obstructed their efforts to renovate their homes.

He said that against the advice of the King, Pozi Family members are consistently denied accruing benefits of the oil rich community, such as in the ongoing Matrix Energy Ltd projects in the area.

The Pozi Family is therefore calling for the immediate removal of the chairman to maintain peace in Pepeama.

According to Mala, in a statement, despite appeals to the Gbaramatu Traditional Council of Chiefs, the family’s plight remains unresolved.

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The statement reads, “Mr Awologbin, has over several years rallied his executive council to constitute existential threat to the Pozi family owner-stakeholders of Pepeama….tolerating the over 20-years-in-office Chairman any longer could lead to breakdown of order in Gbaramatu Kingdom.

“His Majesty, Oboro Gbaraun II, Aketekpe, Agadagba, the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, following investigations/consideration of a Pozi Family complaint found truth and merit and in full glare of the Kingdom directed that a separate Pozi Quarters be created in Pepeama to peacefully coexist with other quarters, contribute to development/equally benefit from the proceeds of the community.

“Against our Gbaramatu King’s advice, Pozi Family members, who are owner-stakeholders of Pepeama are denied access to Pepeama to renovate their now dilapidated homes by a community Chairman with no verifiable links to our forebears. This Chairman, Awologbin, haven served for over 20 years by default now thinks himself a monarch to challenge the Pere (King) of Gbaramatu Kingdom.

“We demand his immediate removal for peace in Pepeama. Against the advice of our King, Pozi Family members are consistently denied accruing benefits of our oil rich community, such as in the ongoing Matrix Energy Ltd projects. Yet, nobody is helping to sustain the cause of dialogue/peace resolution mechanism as Pozi Family faces existential threat, nay extinction, while the Pepeama community Chairman opposes/disobeys the directive of our King without sanctions.

“Apart from several earlier appeals, the Pozi family, for about 6 months now, since October 11, 2023, further appealed to the Gbaramatu Traditional Council of Chiefs, via a letter to Chief Godspower Gbenekama, the Fiyewei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, to present plight of Pozi family of Pepeama for further deliberation and final resolution, to no avail. Are we not creating the repulsive impression that might is right which can only subsequently push the weakest to self-help, resulting in chaos and system implosion in Gbaramatu Kingdom?.

“Whatever the religious persuasion of the Gbaramatu Ijaw man, the call to courageous commitment to truth and justice, symbolized by our Gbaramatu King, should continue to be our rallying values for enduring progress”, Mala advised.

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