Delta LG Polls: Ethiope East PDP Group Protests Zoning of Chairmanship

…says decision could destroy PDP in Ethiope East

Group under the auspices of Ethiope East PDP Study Group, has reacted to a statement credited a high profile of the Delta State Peoples Democratic party, PDP, that the position of the local government council Chairmanship has been zoned to Okpara Inland, Ethiope East local government area of Delta state, describing the statement as mere propaganda and falsehood.

The group in a statement signed by the chairman, Activist Jerry Mamoakpo and Secretary, Chris Okirue said the purported statement of the zoning was disclosed during a meeting summoned by the leader of the Ethiope East PDP, Chief Benerd Edewor to meet with the 29 selected leaders for the forthcoming chairmanship primaries.

Briefing newsmen at Asaba, headquarters of Delta state, the Chairman of the group said there was never a time when the chairmanship position of the local government has been zoned to either Agbon 1, Agbon 2 or Abraka, noting that it has always been an open contest where all aspirants allowed to show their popularity.

The group said that having done its findings, it was discovered that since 1999 till date, there has never been an issue of zoning hence, aspirants are always allowed to come out to contest the primaries without restriction to any of the eleven national wards.

According to the chairman, “From the available information, the Agbon 1 has produced late Chief Ochuko Unuagba on two consecutive tenure of six years as chairman and later became Caretaker Committee chairman for one year.

“Again, Agbon 1 has produced, Chief Lucky Oteheri, as Caretaker Committee Chairman for another period of two years on the platform of PDP, so if there was zoning as claimed by some of the party leaders, the Caretaker Committee Chairman ought to have moved to Agbon 2 to balance the equation at that time but it didn’t work because there was never any time there was zonning.

“Again, the election that brought in Chief Tony Oboro of Agbon 2 as Chairman was keenly contested for with Chief Alex Imara and nobody argued that it was the turn of Agbon 2, because it never existed then not to talk of now.

“This a clear indication that there was no zoning anywhere and on this we want to inform our amiable Governor, Sen. Arthur lfeanyi Okowa who believes in Peace, Justice, Fairness and Equity to look critically into the issue and address it to avoid unforseen issues that will cause disunity among us for a thing that never existed over the years on zoning between Agbon 1 and 2.

“That it was in this regard that Ethiope East PDP study group, Asaba branch in a press conference with newsmen decided to come out to address this issue knowing fully that your excellency, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa will do justice to the issue,” Activist Mamoakpo