Posted by The Port Harcourt Telegraph on
There had been rumours a breakthrough had been achieved in the search for the return of peace in Buguma, but not too many people believed it.
... King, three one and half chiefs appear before Se kobiri
There had been rumours a breakthrough had been achieved in the search for the return of peace in Buguma, but not too many people believed it.
But Thursday as the Se kobiri convened, the King, Professor T.J.T Amachree, Amayanabo of Kalabari, and the three one and half chiefs made a dramatic entrance.
They were seen together as generations have seen them in the past, raising hopes among the chiefs and people that the two sides may have resolved to put their differences behind them for good, at least in the interest of the Kalabari nation.
The Buguma crisis had pitched both sides against each other, with the royals insisting the Kalabari crown would not bow to alien pressures from the three one and half chiefs.
The situation was however, worse at the youth level where many rather chose to resort to the use of arms to defend hard lines towed by their elders and in some cases, their families.
The result was chaos, violence and wanton destruction not just of property but precious human lives.
Insiders say that it was at the height of the threat to communal life that the idea to draw up a peace accord was brokered.
Whereas members of the peace accord drafting committee assumed the document as it was final and took the position that since the king had endorsed the document, there was no going back.
The king disagreed, saying he may not have gone through the entire document initialed under the watchful gaze of Government House.
He had maintained that although the peace accord document was desirable, it required ratification by the council of chiefs.
But the three one and half chiefs insisted the document should be adopted as a working document the way it was.
The three one and half chiefs roared when they did not get their way, accusing the king of being the source of discontent within Buguma and the Kalabari kingdom.
At a stage, they even proclaimed they had removed the monarch from office over what they claimed was his abdication of the throne.
After months of disagreement and skillful diplomacy pioneered by the Rivers government, a deal was struck.
Under the arrangement, the Amayanabo and the three one and half chiefs were mandated to lead their people home.
The aim, government officials disclosed, was for the leaders in conflict to engender a measure of confidence in the Buguma people which would encourage them to return home.
Thereafter, talks resumed again on the peace document.
Following fresh controversy, members of Se kobiri threw their weight behind the king as letters and petitions flew in the direction of government.
Last Thursday, what seems like a new chapter was opened.
The Amayanabo, custodian of the culture and tradition of the kalabari walked regally, flanked by the three one and half chiefs whom Amachree had recognized for their support and alleged prowess in war.
From around the Kalabari kingdom, there are sighs of relief over the coming peace.