Ukelle Traditional Rulers Demand Zoning of NASS, Assembly Seats, Seek Equity in Office Sharing
By Missang AKPET
The Ukele Traditional Rulers Council and Leaders of Thought have called for the immediate adoption of a zoning system for political offices at both national and state levels to ensure fair representation for the Ukelle people.
The demand was contained in a communique issued at the end of an advisory meeting held on Tuesday, at the Wanokom Meeting Ground, North Ukelle.
In the communique signed by the Chairman of the Ukele Traditional Rulers Council, Ubet Ignatius Olem, the council expressed “deep concern” that the Ukelle nation has not occupied any elective office at the national level since Nigeria’s Independence.
On federal representation, the meeting resolved that a formal position paper be drafted and forwarded to the leadership of Yala 1 and Ogoja State Constituencies.
The paper should appeal for a zoning arrangement for the House of Representatives seat to guarantee inclusive representation for Ukelle.
For the State House of Assembly seat, the council resolved that the position should rotate among Ukelle wards based on equity and justice.
The communique noted that Ijiraga Ward will complete two terms by 2027, having held the seat from 2019-2027 with Cynthia Nkasi and Martins Achadu both serving a term. It added that Wanokom previously held the seat for four years between 1979 and 1983 before the military took over so it was pertinent to complete the remaining 4 term.
“Given that Wanokom held the seat for four years (1979-1983), the next rotation shall see Wanokom take a four-year term, 2027-2031, to be followed immediately by Wanikade for a subsequent four-year term 2031-2035,” the communique stated.
The council described the resolutions as “purely advisory to all political parties” and expressed optimism that if faithfully implemented, they would engender lasting peace, unity and accelerated progress for the Ukelle Nation within the Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency and the Ukelle State Constituency.
The meeting was attended by members of the Ukelle Traditional Rulers Council and other Leaders of Thought.
