Okoroma—A sociopolitical group, Okoroma Consultative Forum (OCF), has urged political leaders and stakeholders to concede to the zoning of the House of Assembly seat for Nembe constituency I in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State to either ward 9 or 10 in the 2023 general election.
In a statement signed by Chief L.A Dunker of ward 9, Chief J. I Ettah of ward 10, Miss Gloria Jonah, Comrade Tarinyo Joseph and Mr. Sunday Maxwell Ayerite, the group said the call is in the interest of equity and fairness.
They called for the urgent intervention of leaders and stakeholders to avert what they termed attempt by some persons to make people believe they can continue in the state House of Assembly for another eight years to the exclusion of ward 9 and 10.
The statement pointed out that “out of wards 1, 2, 3, 8, 9 and 10 which are in Nembe constituency I, ward 3 had produced late Justice F.K. Amain, who represented Nembe constituency I from 1979-1983 in the then old Rivers State House of Assembly.
“Hon. Beinmoipere John Jonah represented the Constituency in the old Rivers State House of Assembly and in the advent of democracy in 1999 in Bayelsa state.
“Ward 2 produced House of Assembly member for 8 years in 1999-2007, in the person of Chief Bright Erewari-Igbeta. Afterward, ward 1 represented the Constituency for 8 years between 2007-2015 with Hon. Jonathan Obuebite.”
The OCF explained that at the moment ward 8 is about completing its eight years which started from 2015-2023 with the incumbent, Hon. Ebi Ben Ololo, while ward 9 and 10 with over twenty thousand votes and a great percentage of oil revenue are yet to occupy the assembly seat despite the array of qualified and acceptable persons with the capacity to gather victory votes for the party.
The group appealed for “Ward 9 or 10 to be allowed to produce the next honourable member of the state House of Assembly for Nembe constituency I without the brewing tension, feeling of oppression and alienation.”
The statement implored “Governor Douye Diri and the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to correct the representative exclusion foisted on ward 9 and 10 in line with his stands on inclusiveness in the state.”
The group, comprised of chiefs, elders, women and youths of Okoroma clan, also congratulated Diri on his administration’s second year anniversary and for completing the Nembe unity bridge, Elebele bridge as well as the commitment to construct the Nembe-Brass road.
Meanwhile, the OCF on Saturday, met with former Bayelsa East Senator, Chief Nimi Barigha-Amange, Hon. Omubo Dede and Chief Ikio Francis to seek their support on the need for ward 9 or 10 to occupy the Nembe Constituency 1 assembly seat.
Leader of the delegation, Chief Nanyo Kienworio, solicited their support to enable them actualize their aim.
The stakeholders in their separate remarks described the agitation of the group as legitimate, advising that the selection of candidates should be free, fair and without bias.
Other speakers at the event include, Chief Ayebaemi D. Akarara-Aminini, Ebikienmo Obodo-Akarara, Madam Gloria S. Jonah and Otinyo Derri, CDC Chairman, Akakumama community.
