Rivers Politics: Zoning Was Rejected In 1990-Awuse Just as a section of politicians in Rivers state are clamouring for the zoning of the office of governor of Rivers state in 2015 to either riverine or Rivers South East senatorial district, and yet another school of thought insisting on open contest so the best aspirant can emerge to carry the flag of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in 2015 governorship election, Chief Sergeant Awuse has disclosed that history was not in favour of those demanding for zoning in the run-up to the 2015 elections. The politician, who contested for the office of governor of Rivers state about three times, right from 1990/1991, when he, then of Social Democratic Party squared up against Chief Zebulon Abule of National Republican Convention, told a gathering of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, faithful in Rumuodogo,in the Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers state recently, that he suggested to stakeholders in 1990 to work out modalities that would ensure that political offices, especially that of governor of the state rotates in such a manner that will give other sections of the state, as then constituted opportunity to also produce a governor, but that his proposal was ignored by those who were favoured by the status quo. The politician who, like others spoke in Ikwerre thanked God that the current political dynamics in Rivers state favours the once marginalized people of Ikwerre, further maintained that it was too late in the day for any one to talk about zoning in an election whose processes have since commenced. While declaring that one cannot change the rules at the middle of the game, Chief Awuse, also popularly referred to as the bulldozer in Rivers politics however said that he is not opposed to zoning if all the stakeholders can sit down and agree on the terms and conditions, but that such a move will only be appropriate on the completion of tenure of the next administration of the state. Chief Awuse ,who charged the people of ward 14 in the Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers state comprising Rumuodogo, Rumuewhuo and Evekwu, that the present administration in Rivers state has failed to fulfill its promises to the people, hence the resolve of Ikwerre people to support Chief Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike to succeed the out going governor, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi. Also speaking at the PDP meeting, Prince Paul Wonodi, Coordinator of Ikwerre Chiefs and Elders forum, told the gathering that the people of Ikwerre are not in support of zoning, and that Governor Amaechi, who he said has been working against the re-election of President Good luck Jonathan is on his own and do not have the blessing of Ikwerre people. Prince Wonodi further explained the resolve of Ikwerre to support the re-election of President Jonathan as well as Chief Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike for governor, even as he argued that it was unacceptable for Chief Wike, who had worked so hard for the PDP to now step aside for another to take up the party’s governorship ticket. The politician assured the people of Rumuodogo that the road, school, water projects that have been abandoned in their community by the current administration would be revisited when Chief Wike becomes the governor, urging them to be steadfast, register at the appropriate time and obtain voters cards in order to be able to freely vote for the PDP at all levels in the forth coming election. Also speaking, Chief Emeka Woke, one of the PDP leaders in the state commended the people of ward 14 in EMOLGA for keeping faith with the PDP in spite of the falsehood being peddled by the opposition party regarding their presence in the area. He noted that the burning of brooms, symbol of the APC by those who decamped at the occasion was a strong indication that the opposition party is dead in ward 14. Recalling how in December 2008 , Governor Amaechi visited and promised to construct a road for Rumuodogo, Chief Emeka Woke regretted that the promise has remained unfulfilled, among other abandoned projects in the area, urging them to ignore the antics of the APC and vote massively for the PDP in 2015for a change of story. In his own remarks, the chairman of PDP in Emohua Local Government Area, Hon. Vincent Orji lauded the traditional rulers and the entire people of ward 14 for turning out in their numbers to welcome and lend their support to PDP. He assured them that their frustrations, traceable to unfulfilled promises of government in the state will soon be a thing of the past, as the next administration to be presided by the PDP will address their challenges. The PDP LGA Chairman also received about 100 politicians who decamped from the APC o the PDP. He urged them to cooperate with other party members, assuring that of fairness, and reward for hard work and loyalty to the party. Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of those who decamped, Mr. Omovem Ajah said they left the APC because the party holds no promise of a bright future for their people, hinting that the exodus is in droves just that many others were unable to make it to the venue in time. Earlier, Hon. Clifford Nmekini, a notable politician in Odegu had, while welcoming the guests lamented the failure of Rivers state government to fulfill its promises to the people of Rumuodogo, but was optimistic that the next administration of the PDP in Rivers state will wipe away their tears by revisiting and completing the road, school, electricity and water projects in the area. Responding to the speakers, Nne nwe Eli Rumuodogo, who was represented by Ohna Daniel Okwele thanked the PDP faithful for the visit and promised that they will vote for the PDP at all levels in the 2015 general elections. He, however solicited for assistance for the completion of abandoned people oriented projects in Rumuodogo, including connecting them to the national grid so they can also enjoy electricity. Highlights of the meeting that attracted heavy weights of the PDP in Emohua LGA included a wrestling match, musical performances, dances by women and youths of ward 14.
Posted on: Mon, 20 Oct 2014 09:50:05 +0000
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