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From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Hundreds of constituents from the Bayelsa East, comprising Ogbia, Nembe and Brass local government areas, yesterday, took to the streets of Yenagoa, demanding respect for the zoning formula that has existed since 1999.
Investigations revealed moves to lobby the party leadership in the state to grant waivers to incumbent members of the Red Chambers.
The protesters, who took off from the NUJ Press Centre along Azikoro Road bearing placards with inscriptions such as ’Keep power rotation alive,’ ‘Obey zoning arrangement,’ ‘Senator Benson Agadaga do not scuttle our zoning arrangement,’ ‘Equity is justice. It is Brass turn to produce senator, do not allow selfish politician to destroy our zoning’ and ‘Agadaga, You’re not the first senator in Bayelsa East, please respect the zoning formula,’ marched to Toolda Hotel, Ekeki, venue of the screening exercise of aspirants by the senatorial special screening committee set up by the leadership of the party in the state.
One of the protesters, Quincy Mac- Odo, the former national Vice-President of Ogbia Brotherhood Youth Council, noted that the zoning formula, which has been in existence since 1999, has provided political stability in the senatorial district.
Mac-Odo from Ogbia Local Government Area, which is Agada’s local government, stated that a breach of the zoning arrangement would not sit well with the senatorial district.
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“As youth leaders of Bayelsa East senatorial district, we have a stake in the governance of the people. You can see the mammoth crowd as evidence that the people are supporting the existing zoning arrangement. This zoning formula has existed since our revered leader, late Chief Melford Obiene Okilo from Ogbia, went to the Senate in 1999. Since then, the seats have been rotating every four years among Ogbia, Brass and Nembe.
“Everybody can attest to the fact that the zoning formula has worked. Now, after Senator Benson Agadaga, it is the turn of Brass. We are here as youth leaders, women’s groups and traditional rulers to demand that the zoning arrangement that has been in existence before should be honoured. This zoning arrangement, which has produced seven Senators from the three local government areas, has kept the senatorial district in unity, peace and harmony. So, we don’t want someone, because of ambition, to scuttle the peace we have been enjoying,” they stated.
High Chief Olerua John Salvation, also from Ogbia, pleaded with leaders in the area to prevent a breach of the existing zoning arrangement.
According to him, respect for the zoning arrangement has ensured a harmonious political relationship among the people.
“We are here to say no to a second tenure. In Bayelsa East senatorial district, we have a gentleman’s zonal agreement that has been in existence and kept us in peace. We don’t want someone to come and breach the existing peace in the area. As the traditional leaders, we are saying it is the turn of Brass. The outgoing Senator should not re-contest.’’
