By ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA
A group, the Anioma Peoples Political Frontiers, (APPF), has expressed displeasure over the continued marginalisation, undermining and oppression of Ubulu-Okiti people within the Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, despite records of contributing highest votes from the Local Government Area to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led Government, from inception of the current democratic dispensation.
Leader of the group, Churchill Mafiana Esq, flanked by Comrades Kenneth Nwaomu and Kobimdi Mafiana, stated this during a Press Conference held yesterday in Asaba to protest the continued political exclusion of Ubulu-Okiti people in the sharing of appointments and offices accruing to the local government.
Explaining that there are three clans, Nsukwa, Ogwashi Uku and Ubulu, in Aniocha South, he lamented that Ubulu-Okiti had been continuously deprived and shortchanged in the political arrangements, pointing out that they have been denied any of positions of Council Chairman, House of Assembly Member and Commissioner.
According to Mafiana: “Our youths condemned this injustice because the last elections took the sweat and blood of many PDP supporters in Ward 11. So PDP cannot be rewarding non performing Wards. We should address the issue of equity in Aniocha South.
“It is true that Ward 11 (Ubulu-Okiti) produced the highest votes for the PDP 5/5 in Aniocha South in the last general elections yet it has nothing to show for it because of lopsided appointment.”
The Anioma Peoples Political Frontiers has severally expressed displeasure over the non-inclusion of their sons and daughters in the sharing of political offices just as they neither had any key appointment in the immediate past administration and have had no beneficiary in the recently released list of Commissioners and Special Advisers nominees, among others which other Clans of Aniocha South have been enjoying for many years.
Mafiana noted that “against this dire injustice, we are constrained to seek redress from our amiable Governor and Boss, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, whose emergence was celebrated like Christmas Day in Ubulu-Okiti, with the belief that this matter would be properly investigated for us to be compensated and carried along in future appointments in the interest of justice, equity and fairness.
“Notwithstanding, we remain loyal and patriotic to our great Party, the PDP, which can never be destroyed nor scattered by the greedy ones. We believe in Delta State, as in unity we stand and succeed together.”
While congratulating Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his victory and successful assumption of office, Mafiana noted that “we are only expressing our desires to be recognized because we laboured and toiled hard to deliver the Party. We delivered 100% but those Wards that could not deliver are being rewarded.
“If we continually delivered to PDP so why should we not benefit. There is nothing bad for us to be considered in appointment for our works. We have been completely marginalized in appointments.
“If we continue in this trend we might find it difficult in the next election. We are the only people that have not produce any good position in the Local Government Area.”
He congratulated the appointees and other nominees for Commissioners and Special Advisers.
The group (APPF), use this medium to particularly congratulate our own Ada Anioma- Hon. Joan Onyemaechi and Hon. Collins Iwebunor for a well-deserve place in the list of appointees and hereby assure them that the group will ensure very cordial relationship between them and Ubulu-Okiti people. And equally urge them to ensure that Ubulu-Okiti is henceforth put at the top of their agenda.
“A special appreciation to our indefatigable ward leader, Arc. Kester Ifeadi whose dynamic leadership quality has brought about great fortune in infrastructural development of the community and progress of the party in ward 11.” Mafiana added.
