On-the-over-flogged-lies-falsehood-and-deception-about-so-called-delta-state-zoning
September 7, 2020 | News
ON THE OVER-FLOGGED LIES/FALSEHOOD AND DECEPTION ABOUT SO-CALLED DELTA STATE ZONING
We have noted severally that the politics of zoning is not only unconstitutional, but also undemocratic, and as such, should not be used by some Delta State politicians and elites as a basis for Deltans/Nigerians to continue to tolerate/accommodate the mediocre of a government demonstrated by the present administration in Delta State. The developed countries like the UK, US, France, etc., which we all admire today, did not become great nations because of zoning. They became great simply because of 'GOOD LEADERSHIP' that is accountable to the people. That is grossly missing in Delta State in the last 20 years, which the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa administration is planning to continue.
Right from the time of Urhobo nation leaders like Dr. Esiri, to Chief Benjamin Okumagba and now Chief Omene, there was never a time the Urhobo nation collectively as an entity, signed any official document, or reached any agreement with any ethnic group in Delta State, about the subject of zoning – particularly the zoning of Governorship to a particular Senatorial District of Delta State; where we need to consider the fact that the Urhobos are in Delta South and Delta Central.
If those clamouring and making so much fuss on this zoning issue, with the argument that it provides opportunity for the various ethnic groups in Delta State to experience a fair share and taste of the (different) Seat(s) of Government; then that is a fat lie and deception that holds no bearing, especially when we consider the prevailing situations in the State’s political scene – where a certain group of persons think that right to the Seat of Government is their exclusive right and privilege.
In 2007, former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, then under the PDP, contested alongside Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for the PDP Governorship ticket during the party’s Primaries. And Okowa lost in that contest, as Uduaghan won to become the PDP Governorship candidate at that time. The question then is, why was this allowed to happen if they are so game on the subject of zoning? Why did Okowa contest then then with Uduaghan? He should not have contested with Uduaghan at the PDP Primaries then, if they were bent on adhering to a so-called zoning formula. Another example was in 2015, when Prof. Amos Utuama, another Urhobo aspirant under the PDP, contested for the Party’s Governorship candidacy with Okowa in the PDP Primaries. And Utuama lost that fight. That was how Okowa emerged as the PDP’s Governorship candidate in 2015. If the subject of zoning was then a big issue, they would have allowed only the politicians from Delta South to context for the PDP Governorship ticket with Uduaghan in 2007, and they would also have allowed those from Delta North to contest with Okowa in 2015.
Another example that is practically on its own, is the fact that since 2003 till date, Senator James Ebiowou Manager, has been a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Representing Delta South Senatorial District - that is about 16 years now and still counting. This will be his Fourth shot at the Senate. Yet, within the same Delta South, we have four ethnic groups: the Isokos, the Ijaws, the Urhobos and the Itsekiris. Even in 1999, Senator Stella Omu contested under the PDP in the Delta South Senatorial District. But she only served for four years, before James Manager came on board and has been there since 2003. So, is the subject of the so-called zoning not applicable to every politician in Delta State regardless of their ethnic group? THE ISOKOS FOR INSTANCE, HAVE BEEN PRACTICALLY MARGINALIZED IN DELTA CENTRAL. SINCE 2003 TILL DATE, THEY HAVE NOT TASTED THE SEAT OF POLITICAL POWER IN THAT PART OF THE STATE. IS OKOWA, IBORI AND OTHERS CONCERNED NOT SEEING THIS UNFAIR TREATMENT? Again, who are they deceiving?
We can see that all this talk about zoning are nothing but decorated lies used to cheat and deceive the people – who are often at the receiving end of this rubbish that only benefits some few. They only bring up the subject of zoning in areas where they have selfish agendas to foster, and they remain ‘SILENT’ and ‘PRETEND’ about the subject issue in other areas of the State’s politics. Who are they deceiving?
The subject of zoning in Delta State politics is nothing but a hoax and not real or practiced as should. If James Onanefe Ibori had any sort of agreement or signed anything of such with any ethnic group in the State, that is his own cup of tea. He obviously did so for his selfish reasons and selfish gain and noting more. But most importantly, Ibori and those behind him, cannot speak for, or stand for/on-behalf of the Urhobos and its interests in Delta State. The only recognized and accepted spokespersons who have been speaking for the interest of the Urhobo nation, are the following: Gen. Patrick Aziza, Chief Benjamin Okumagba and presently Chief Joe Omene. But regardless of anything else, what we earnestly need in Delta State is 'GOOD GOVERNANCE' exhibited by a good leadership. This should be the concern of all stakeholders, and not this zoning rubbish aimed at cheating the masses.
Zik Gbemre.
We Mobilize Others to Fight for Individual Causes as if Those Were Our Causes
We have noted severally that the politics of zoning is not only unconstitutional, but also undemocratic, and as such, should not be used by some Delta State politicians and elites as a basis for Deltans/Nigerians to continue to tolerate/accommodate the mediocre of a government demonstrated by the present administration in Delta State. The developed countries like the UK, US, France, etc., which we all admire today, did not become great nations because of zoning. They became great simply because of 'GOOD LEADERSHIP' that is accountable to the people. That is grossly missing in Delta State in the last 20 years, which the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa administration is planning to continue.
Right from the time of Urhobo nation leaders like Dr. Esiri, to Chief Benjamin Okumagba and now Chief Omene, there was never a time the Urhobo nation collectively as an entity, signed any official document, or reached any agreement with any ethnic group in Delta State, about the subject of zoning – particularly the zoning of Governorship to a particular Senatorial District of Delta State; where we need to consider the fact that the Urhobos are in Delta South and Delta Central.
If those clamouring and making so much fuss on this zoning issue, with the argument that it provides opportunity for the various ethnic groups in Delta State to experience a fair share and taste of the (different) Seat(s) of Government; then that is a fat lie and deception that holds no bearing, especially when we consider the prevailing situations in the State’s political scene – where a certain group of persons think that right to the Seat of Government is their exclusive right and privilege.
In 2007, former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, then under the PDP, contested alongside Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for the PDP Governorship ticket during the party’s Primaries. And Okowa lost in that contest, as Uduaghan won to become the PDP Governorship candidate at that time. The question then is, why was this allowed to happen if they are so game on the subject of zoning? Why did Okowa contest then then with Uduaghan? He should not have contested with Uduaghan at the PDP Primaries then, if they were bent on adhering to a so-called zoning formula. Another example was in 2015, when Prof. Amos Utuama, another Urhobo aspirant under the PDP, contested for the Party’s Governorship candidacy with Okowa in the PDP Primaries. And Utuama lost that fight. That was how Okowa emerged as the PDP’s Governorship candidate in 2015. If the subject of zoning was then a big issue, they would have allowed only the politicians from Delta South to context for the PDP Governorship ticket with Uduaghan in 2007, and they would also have allowed those from Delta North to contest with Okowa in 2015.
Another example that is practically on its own, is the fact that since 2003 till date, Senator James Ebiowou Manager, has been a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Representing Delta South Senatorial District - that is about 16 years now and still counting. This will be his Fourth shot at the Senate. Yet, within the same Delta South, we have four ethnic groups: the Isokos, the Ijaws, the Urhobos and the Itsekiris. Even in 1999, Senator Stella Omu contested under the PDP in the Delta South Senatorial District. But she only served for four years, before James Manager came on board and has been there since 2003. So, is the subject of the so-called zoning not applicable to every politician in Delta State regardless of their ethnic group? THE ISOKOS FOR INSTANCE, HAVE BEEN PRACTICALLY MARGINALIZED IN DELTA CENTRAL. SINCE 2003 TILL DATE, THEY HAVE NOT TASTED THE SEAT OF POLITICAL POWER IN THAT PART OF THE STATE. IS OKOWA, IBORI AND OTHERS CONCERNED NOT SEEING THIS UNFAIR TREATMENT? Again, who are they deceiving?
We can see that all this talk about zoning are nothing but decorated lies used to cheat and deceive the people – who are often at the receiving end of this rubbish that only benefits some few. They only bring up the subject of zoning in areas where they have selfish agendas to foster, and they remain ‘SILENT’ and ‘PRETEND’ about the subject issue in other areas of the State’s politics. Who are they deceiving?
The subject of zoning in Delta State politics is nothing but a hoax and not real or practiced as should. If James Onanefe Ibori had any sort of agreement or signed anything of such with any ethnic group in the State, that is his own cup of tea. He obviously did so for his selfish reasons and selfish gain and noting more. But most importantly, Ibori and those behind him, cannot speak for, or stand for/on-behalf of the Urhobos and its interests in Delta State. The only recognized and accepted spokespersons who have been speaking for the interest of the Urhobo nation, are the following: Gen. Patrick Aziza, Chief Benjamin Okumagba and presently Chief Joe Omene. But regardless of anything else, what we earnestly need in Delta State is 'GOOD GOVERNANCE' exhibited by a good leadership. This should be the concern of all stakeholders, and not this zoning rubbish aimed at cheating the masses.
Zik Gbemre.
We Mobilize Others to Fight for Individual Causes as if Those Were Our Causes