The crisis of leadership rocking Chevron Nigeria Limited’s host communities in the Brass and Southern Ijaw Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State has taken a new twist with the lawyer to six suspended members, Foubai Pereyi, withdrawing his representation in their suit.

The eight oil-producing communities made up of Koluama 1 & 2, Ezetu 1 & 2, Foropa, Fish town, Ekeni and Sangana are under the auspices of KEFFES Rural Development Foundation and they host oil facilities operated by the Chevron Nigeria Limited.

Pereyi also tendered an unreserved apology to the KEFFES RDF for his involvement in its lingering crisis, while denying authorising a press statement purportedly issued in his name.

He conveyed his apology and withdrawal of legal services through a letter dated November 9, 2021 and addressed to the chairman, Board of Trustees and members of the foundation.

Pereyi, in a copy of the letter obtained on Friday by our correspondent, said, “I am compelled by recent developments to formally render an unreserved apology to the chairman, members of the general assembly, Board of Trustees and members of the host communities of KEFFES Rural Development Foundation for my involvement in recent activities and affairs of the foundation, for which I wholeheartedly apologise.

“Moving forward, for personal reasons, I have withdrawn my further representation in this matter and the case file has been forwarded to my former client.”

Meanwhile, one of the suspended six members from Fish town, Noel Ikonikumo, has also tendered his apology and sought pardon for being part of the parallel executive of the foundation formed by its chairman, Tibidei Amadein, who is also under suspension.

Ikonikumo, who was appointed secretary of the parallel executive, in his letter of apology dated November 3, 2021, apologised for attending the meeting convened by Amadein where they allegedly changed the substantive KEFFES RDF leadership led by Sele-epri Matthew.

He said, “I attended the meeting due to misinformation. I, therefore, render an unreserved apology to the chairman, Mr Sele-epri Matthew, members of the BoT and the entire members of KEFFES RDF. Pardon me for this gross mistake.”

The six members were suspended at an emergency meeting on October 30 presided over by Sele-epri for allegedly attempting to use wrong interpretation of the ruling of a state High Court to change the foundation’s leadership.

The court had ruled in a suit filed by Amadein that the foundation should conduct another election. But a motion for stay of execution was filed before the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.