OPINION: LG Election: Inyima Council Ward Is Part Of Yakurr
By Egbe Mathew
There is a saying that what is what doing is worth doing well. And until we see that even the weakest person among the family is raised to stand on its own with the needed support then the family remains weak.
It is not news that the state government have signed into law the electoral law for the purpose of a successful electoral process following the constitution of the state electoral commission. This actions has informed several persons into indicating one interest and the other to contest in the forth coming election.
Specifically, my concern is where and who becomes the next Chairman of Yakurr local government council. And without mixing words, I want to draw the attention of all political leaders in Yakurr to consider the weakest ones in the family of Yakurr and strengthen such a one.
Yakurr is made up of 2 states constituency, (Constituency 1&2), and 13 council wards. And in the political history of the local government from 1999 we cannot say that all wards have duly had their turn or opportunity to produce the Chairman of Council. And of course the constituency has not have a fair turn of same.
From 1999-to the last election into the office of the council seat, they have been 6 Chairmen, 5 from constituency 1 and just 1 from constituency 2. Showing a very imbalance and unfair treatment of constituency 2. This of course is the most reason why the next Chairman of the local government should come from constituency 2 and particularly because the very recent or penultimate chairman came from constituency 1.
If this is done, then we can say that the cry of constituency 2 have been heard and carried alone in the polity of Yakurr on this matter.
The next concern will then be which of the wards in the constituency should the chairman particularly come from. In doing this, we should consider which ward have no voice, nor representation in the polity of Yakurr and the state at large. In constituency 2, there are 5 council wards, Mkpani/Agoi, Nkpolo Ukpawen, Abaghankpai, Inyima and Assiga wards*. In these wards the following have been benefited by various wards.
Mkpani/Agoi- had the privilege of producing a Governor of the state, House of Assembly member, Senator of the federal Republic, Commissioners(currently) etc.
Mkpolo/Ukpawen and Abandonment - had the privilege of producing minister of the Federal Republic, chairman of council, MD/Board Chairmen of state agencies, commissioner, House of Assembly members, etc
Inyima - NIL
Assiga - had the privilege of producing Commissioner, MD/Board Chairmen of State agencies, L. G. Vice Chairman etc.
Looking at the analysis made above, it is not difficult to decide or consider the most marginalized and unfairly treated ward.
Inyima is a Ward in Yakurr and so should be considered to produce the next Chairman of Council. The fact that we need a man that will redeem the image of Yakurr is important, and as a son of Yakurr from Inyima, I have related with people, both within my ward and outside my ward, and I state boldly that, Inyima have the needed individuals and materials who can take up this responsibility. But we need the support of those who are strong in the family to strengthen and help us to stand.
If you consider academics, we have Academic doctors, Medical doctor, lawyers, engineers, political scientist, Entrepreneurs, Administrators and Managers, and technocrats. Therefore I don't think we lack such men to take up the responsibility. Inyima should be considered.
I, therefore, write to appealing to all leaders in Yakurr, we have weak ones among us, let us strengthen them. Let us allow a voice to be heard from Inyima , let us build an inclusive Yakurr, let Yakurr make every community and ward in Yakurr feel carried and represented.
EGBE MATTHEW (AICMC, AICAM) (DIL, LLB, B.ED, BL (IN VIEW)
