Spokesman of the Okoroma Voice, Dr. J Ebi has described the quest by some political elites from Nembe Local Government Area, allegedly working so hard to disrupt the zoning arrangement of elective offices in Nembe Constituency 1 as playing the spoiler role or burying landmines to create political upheaval.
He also stated that these same political elites who are mostly members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are the greatest beneficiaries of the principles of zoning, federal character and quota system which has sustained the exercise of equity, justice and fairness in the Kingdom.
This was disclosed in a statement signed and made available to Niger Delta Connect today in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
The Spokesman stressed that there is no gain saying that zoning elective offices in a heterogeneous state like Bayelsa State is the solution to a peaceful political coexistence, but regretted that there is a class of political elites who think that the principles of zoning elective office is old fashioned.
Ebi said, “Because they do not agree, the zoning principle has been subjected to judicial interpretation, but the court has always held that it is not justiciable for the court to declare which part of a state or country an elective office should be zoned to, simply for the fact that it is purely a political matter for the political party. Yet, political elites in Bayelsa still attempt to question the court.
“Their attitude towards the issue of zoning makes one wonder if they have forgotten Article 7 (2) (c) of the PDP Constitution 2006 as Amended.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Article 7 (2) (c) of the PDP Constitution 2006 as Amended states that “In pursuance of the principle of equity, Justice and fairness, the party shall adhere to the policy of rotation and zoning of party and public elective offices and it shall be enforced by appropriate executive committee at all levels.
“From the above article, it is evident that the PDP constitution envisaged the fact that, the disruption of zoning, an arrangement that has fostered stability and rekindled a sense of participation and belonging in Nembe, will be in bad faith. And the questions still remain, who are the targets of the emergency anti-zoning crusaders? What is the sole motivation? Why are certain elements posing as if they have the key of Nembe in their pockets?”
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According to Dr. Ebi, the need to zone all elective offices available to Nembe Constituency 1 to Okoroma ward 9 has become imperative and crucial as it will help in no small measure to foster and promote peace, unity, harmony, mutual respect and cooperation as well as reducing political tension and violence to the barest minimum.
“To put the records straight, in Nembe Constituency 1, there are six wards, comprising OGBOLOMAINBIRI ward 1, OGBOLOMAINBIRI ward 2, OGBOLOMAINBIRI ward 3, IGBETA-EWOAMA ward 8, OKOROMA ward 9 and OKOROMA ward 10. And in the past ten years, all the wards have produced an elected office except Okoroma ward 9.
“According to public records, from 2012 to 2020, Ogbolomainbiri ward 3 produced Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd) as Deputy Governor, 2013 to 2016 Okoroma ward 10 produced Bioghoemi Eminah as Chairman of Nembe Local Government Area and 2010 to 2012 Okoroma ward 10 produced Kenneth Jonah as Vice Chairman of Nembe LGA.
“Others are Hon. Jonathan Obuebite, member of the House of Assembly from Ogbolomainbiri ward 1, 2007 to 2015, Ogbolomainbiri 2 produced Chief Bright Erewari Igbeta as member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly from 1999 to 2007 and Hon. Ebi Opolo from Igbeta-Ewoama ward 8 is serving as member of the state assembly from 2015-till date.
“In view of the trajectory of the elective political office holders of Nembe Constituency 1, any politician seeking for an elective office from Okoroma ward 10 is just playing the spoiler role or burying landmines to create political upheaval among the Okoroma ward 9 and 10”, Dr. Ebi warned.
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