There's an ongoing political campaign that the House of Assembly (HOA) is zoned to Emede in 2027, while the local government chairman (LGC) is zoned to Oleh. This disjointed political rumour making the rounds originated from parochial interests and was fabricated chiefly to distract and/or sway our position as a Community. It's from the pit of hell.
Most of the time, when my input is imperatively needed, I have educated people for the sake of emphasis that there's a great disparity between the two offices, videlicet; - HOA and LGC. Preceding the mass movement of PDP to APC, the reform and modus operandi of the latter was fielding those they felt could win elections for the party, not necessarily through zoning.
Besides, to allay your fears and clear the doubts, political dividends are shared according to wards in a community. Taking constituency 1, Oleh, Irri and Emede as a case, there are five wards in the 3 communities. If five (5) loaves of bread are shared among five wards, how many loaves will Oleh, Irri and Emede have? 2, 2, 1. Again, if ten (10) loaves of bread are shared between the five wards, Oleh will have 4 loaves, Irri 4 loaves and Emede 2 loaves of bread.
Furthermore, for the avoidance of doubt and to confirm this analogy, in every election year, Oleh statutorily produces 4 councillors, Irri 4 councillors and Emede 2 councillors. This democratic sharing has become a standing political legacy which indicates that political dividends and benefits are not shared equally.
See the table below:
Those who have gone to HOA from the three (3) communities are;
1. Hon. Lucky Okperi - 1999 - 2003 - Oleh
2. Hon. Ross Uredi 2003 - 2007 - Irri
3. Hon Ben. Efekodo - 2007 - 2011 - Oleh
4. Hon. Ben. Okiemute - 2011 - 2015 - Irri
5. Hon. Orezi Esievo - 2015 - 2019 - Emede
6. Hon. Kenneth Ogba & Ovuakpor Evivie - 2019 - 2023 - Oleh
7. Hon. Bino Obowomano - 2023 - 2027 - Irri
8. Hon…. 2027 - Oleh turn.
* OLEH. - 3
* IRRI. - 3
* EMEDE - 1
The Isoko South constituency 1, defunct PDP leaders who understood this nomenclature and sharing ratio decided to stick to it from inception. They are not fools. Therefore, we cannot begin to shift the political goalpost when the striker with the ball is a few meters away from the goalpost. From the foregoing, real political calculation devoid of sentiments would have; Oleh 4 slots, Irri 4 slots, then Emede 2 slots.
DIFFERENCES AND VALUES.
1. There are 3 organs of government - Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary. Meanwhile, the HOA is the first organ whose primary purpose is lawmaking, Lawmakers get constituency projects and influence multi-billion-naira projects to communities, unlike local government Chairmen.
2. The Executive needs or lobbies the Legislature more than he needs the local government chairmen. So, there's the possibility of bargaining and political integration for an upward economic and political trajectory.
3. The local government has no autonomy on account of their elections being conducted by the State Independent Electoral Commission and so, they are under the whims and caprice of every Governor, unlike HOA which is controlled by INEC. WHO BECOMES THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRMAN IS THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE GOVERNOR, NOT ANY COMMUNITY. Please, take note.
It's an acceptable fact that the governor uses the local government council as a tool to empower persons of his choice. He can choose anyone from London, Britain, Spain or Lagos, Bayelsa, who do not even understand the pain of his people and nothing we can do. It has been so from inception -- we cannot negotiate nor attempt to alter it.
It's also important to mention here that, HOA enjoys some oversight functions, including legislative immunity and privileges to allow them to exercise their powers and perform their duties without fear of hindrance. It's not so with the Local Government Chairmen.
How can those inciting people that HOA should go to Emede solve the political puzzle - Emede having a SENATOR and HOA member simultaneously? When we know that twenty (20) HOA members do not equate a Senator. I am aware that in the game of power, so many things are considered. Notwithstanding, Oleh people must arise as one, act swiftly and wisely. We must dissociate ourselves as a people from the misguided political outburst shifting our political relevance.
Those hired to carry out this lopsided campaign should desist forthwith or those playing a game of self-interest while jettisoning the community's interest undermine our political strength. This perceived idea is not lucrative because placing personal gain above principle has far-reaching consequences.
In conclusion, I dare to say, that with the strength of votes we have, we can canvass and perform magic. Ordinarily, there was never a place where the tripod communities of Oleh, Irri and Emede sat and agreed on these self-initiated arrangements, which are never in conformity with current political calculations. As we navigate through the political environment, approaching the 2027 ELECTIONEERING period, it will be delicate to sell our rights. We must reappraise our strength, knowing that our votes are indelible factors people can't undermine or surmount. The milk in the breast of a nursing mother is not for advertisement, it is for a purpose. Therefore, the "political mace" must be brought back as a local government headquarters.
It's my humble submission that we begin to define the future, leveraging on many factors of ours; No more political miscarriage. 2027 - OLEH FOR HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY.
Comrade Israel Emamoke,
Writes from Lagos.
