*As Ughievwen Group Set For Massive Protest
Tension is currently brewing in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State over attempt by some leaders to undermine the micro-zoning agreement within Ewu and Olomu axis on the local government council chairmanship seat.
It could be recalled that before the expiration of Hon. Paul Etaga’s tenure in 2017, the Olomu people insisted that the position of the Ughelli South Council chairman belongs to both Ewu and Olomu since they both belongs to the other divide of the two zones/constituencies of the local government area because Hon. Rueben Izeze then was also representing the Local Government Area at the State House of Assembly from Ughievwen divide.
Despite all efforts and plea by Hon. Paul Etaga and his followers to go for second term, the Olomu’s insisted that it was only one term per an axis which gave room for Hon. Dr. Richard Kofi to emerge as the council chairman.
Contrary to what they agitated for, the rumour is ripe in the Local Government Area that Hon. Dr. Richard Kofi has been endorsed invariance with the agreed micro-zoning between Ewu and Olomu.
Irked by the above rumour and moves by some top politicians in Ughelli South Local Government Area, a group, Ughievwen Political Drive for Equity has rejected the move, calling on the leaders across the local government area to stick to the zoning formula between Ewu and Olomu to avoid political crises come 2021.
Hon. Freeborn Onokata, Chief David Omoshue, Comrade Charles Otolu, Hon. Ogheneruemu Onovughakpor, Comrade Monday Kumasi, Comrade Felix Nana, Rev. Joseph Odogun and others who spoke on behalf of the five wards of Jeremi Ward 2, said the group was constituted to correct the issue of the chairmanship position.
According to them, “We want the next chairman to emerged from Ewu because that was the basis that made Hon. Paul Etaga not to return for a second term. Ewu and Olomu had an agreement of one term for the chairmanship position, now that Dr. Richard Kofi is about completing his term in office, it should go to Ewu.
“We are doing this for our political future, we don’t want any fight in Ughelli South, we are foreseeing violence because of the rumour that is why we want it to be corrected. We beg our leaders to do the right thing but if they fail to do it we shall not hesitate to go on a massive protest.
“And we also call on our Governor to step into the matter because the governor is the leader of the party in the state and would not want any political crises in any part of the state. It is very disappointing and disheartening that some persons are peddling such rumour.
“Normally we have two constituencies but some persons are trying to add another divide for their selfish interest, which will never work, we can assure you that. We still maintain that we have two constituencies, even if it is not on paper but within ourselves we have two constituencies.
“Anything that goes to Ewu and Olomu divide, they share it accordingly, and if it is in Ughievwen divide, they share it to either Orhowhe & Uhurie bloc or Ukpedi & Owhawha bloc, that is how we have been doing it and that is what we want now”, they added.
