Bayelsa: Oporoma Youths Demand Power Shift Ahead Of APC Assembly Primaries

Ahead of the forthcoming All Progressives Congress (APC)primaries in Bayelsa State, youths from Oporoma community in Southern Ijaw Constituency 2 have called for political inclusion.

They urged the party leaders to support the aspiration of Tarakiri Ogboin for the state House of Assembly seat.

The youths argued that Oporoma community had remained politically underrepresented in the constituency despite its voting strength and contributions to the party over the years.

In a statement signed by their chairman, Mr Tari Longlife, secretary, Mr Ezekiel Etika and youth leader, Comrade Tarila Asegbe, the group appealed to Governor Douye Diri, party stakeholders, elders, women and youths to support Ogboin during the APC primaries.

According to the chairman, supporting the Oporoma aspirant would promote unity, fairness and peaceful coexistence between the two wards that make up the constituency.

Longlife maintained that there is no formal zoning arrangement guiding political offices in Southern Ijaw Constituency Two, insisting that zoning only applies to organisations such as the Ijaw National Congress and the Ijaw Youth Council.

He further argued that communities in Tarakiri Clan Ward Two have dominated major political appointments over the years, including commissioner positions and the office of the governor’s representative.

He recalled that since 1999, only one indigene of Oporoma, Hon. Target Segibo, had represented the constituency in the State Assembly and served for just one term.

Longlife noted that Hon. Kalabo Hawkins from Onyoma represented the constituency from 2003 to 2011, while Hon. Obolo Bubou from Luduon has held the seat from 2011 till date.

According to him, the political history of the constituency makes it necessary for Oporoma community to produce the next lawmaker representing Southern Ijaw Constituency Two.

The group also commended Governor Diri for projects executed in the area, including the Yenagoa-Oporoma road and bridge, the Oporoma Referral Hospital and the provision of a soundproof generator, while praying for a successful completion of his administration.