By: Gabriel Okenyebunor



Aniocha South has continued to raise the tempo of political discourse in Delta state owing to the power play that has created a new vista of political group insisting and dedicated to ensuring that the right things are done in the local government and balance observed.

Aniocha South, comprising of three distinct clans, Ogwashi , Nsukwa and Ubulu clans, was seen to have had a modest understanding of fair balance in power sharing in the local government. However, the power sharing seems to be eroding the local government which has necessitated a group known as Equity Crusaders, in the Peoples Democratic Party.

https://youtu.be/uhYOE82_vzk?si=nYcnPIba0Leh5_qS

The equity group holds and believe that there are three statutory political offices well shared for balance and equity, which are; House of Assembly, Local Government Chairman and the Commissioner. These were shared among the three federating clans to ensure balance and inclusiveness. But this verity seems to be eroding and creating strife.

https://youtu.be/unhDx59YDRA?si=UFSJA1Zy9Jl97KSb

In Ubulu clan, they have the Commissioner slot taken and represented in the person of Hon Joan Onyemaechi. In Ogwashi Uku clan also known as Ogwashi Uku Kingdom , they have the member representing the local government in the state House of Assembly - Hon Isaac Anwuzia. The now vacant Aniocha South Local government Council Chairman is what is believed should naturally go to Nsukwa clan. However, the tension is coming from the push by the immediate past Local government chairman, Hon Jude Chukwunwike,(younger sibling and the same parents with the current commissioner for Technical Education), pushing every button to return and retain the council chairmanship.

In a telephone conversation with one of the principal crusaders of equity in the local government, Mr Kenneth Okoh, he emphasized that there is no alternative to doing the equitable thing to ensure harmony for the party in the local government. "Let Nsukwa clan have her due place now. The power equation must balance," he maintained.

"The dynamics of political narrative is that trends change with prevailing circumstances. Chief (Dr) Anwuzia did second tenure because Hon Chikezie was in the House of Assembly (Nsukwa Clan) while Hon Lawrence Ejiofor was serving as Commissioner (Ubulu clan). To balance the power equation, our maximum leader, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa approved a second tenure for him. In that circumstance. We had equity."
Let Nsukwa clan have her due place now. The power equation must balance

~Kenneth Okoh


"Now, in the present era, the circumstance is that, Ogwashi clan now has House of Assembly while Ubulu clan is serving as Commissioner. It will now be fair and just for Nsukwa Clan to have the next statutory position which is the coming LGA council chairman. This will give sense of belonging to the 3 federating clans as the power equation will balance again. This is the cruise of the equity discourse. It is therefore oppressive, marginalizing to ask Nsukwa clan to stay out of the power equation and wait till 2027 just to accommodate Hon Jude second tenure in the colourful blackmail that Ogwashi did second tenure. No. The circumstances are not the same."



"For my love for my party - the great PDP and my resolve for progressive politics in Aniocha South, I urge our leaders to come together and resolve this timed bomb. Let Nsukwa clan have her due place now. The power equation must balance. It's broad day light oppression and marginalization to have Ubulu clan take both commissioner and LGA Council chairman as Ogwashi clan already has House of Assembly and leave Nsukwa clan empty. It hurts to imagine.

 

Kenneth Okoh is from

PDP ward 8, Aniocha South.