CONCERNED Ughelli South Youths For Equity and Justice, has condemned in strong terms the adoption of Jeremi zone for the Delta State House of Assembly seat for the Ughelli South Constituency for another term in the 2023 general election.
The group, in a statement by its Chairman, Mr. John Diakparomre, and Secretary, Mr. Emma Ejovwokiniovo, said the adoption was aimed at shutting the Olomu and Ewu blocs out for another four years.
The statement read: “Our attention has been drawn to adoption of Jeremi zone for State Constituency Seat for another term so as to shut the Olomu and Ewu bloc out for another four years by some selfish elements.
“From history available to us, each of the three zones are allowed to do two terms of eight years on a rotation basis to give all stakeholders sense of belonging.
“In 1999, when this present political dispensation began, the Ewu bloc took the first shot in the person of late Senator Pius Akpor Ewherido. In 2003, he was returned unopposed for a second term.
“As he was leaving in 2007, the Olomu bloc took its turn in the person of Olorogun Taleb Tebite. However, Olorogun Taleb Tebite’s second term bid met a stiff opposition from the Jeremi zone, which produced Mr Eme Umukoro, who was erroneously declared winner in 2011 under the platform of the Democratic Peoples Party, DPP, before the Supreme Court ruled otherwise and ordered that he (Olorogun Taleb Tebite) be sworn-in.
“The Jeremi zone in 2015, took over the seat in the person of Comrade Reuben Izeze who was re-elected in 2019. It is expected in the spirit of oneness, justice, equity and fair play, that the seat should move out of Jeremi to other zones.
“We were, therefore, shocked and taken aback when we read in the media that the Jeremi people came together and conspired amongst themselves with some mischievous politicians from the other two zones of Olomu and Ewu to endorse the zone for a third term.
“Without mincing words, the action of those behind the purported endorsement depicts greed and selfishness. The Assembly seat to the best of our knowledge, is not an exclusive right of the Jeremi people.
“All the three zones have equal stakes and right to the seat. Suffice to say, it is merrier when all the blocs are allowed to take their turns after every eight years.
“The unwritten rotational arrangement which came into place in 1999 and respected till date, has promoted love and unity in the Ughelli South Local Government.
“We strongly appeal that this position should be sustained, upheld and respected by all political actors for peace and harmonious relationship.
“We, therefore, condemn in it’s entirety, the reported endorsement of the Jeremi zone for a third term. To this end, we call on the State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and our political leaders in Ughelli South to wade into this matter by allowing the contest to be thrown open, especially for Olomu and Ewu zone to avert the looming crisis in the constituency.”