LG poll: On zoning arrangement we stand, Abavo indigenes say

Ahead of the local government election in Delta State, the people of Abavo kingdom have agreed on the adoption of the subsisting rotational arrangement for elective political offices in Ika South Local Government Area of the state.

The local government area is made up of Agbor and Abavo clans.

Under the zoning arrangement, if an Agbor man goes to the state Assembly, an Abavo person will take charge as Ika South local government chairman and vice versa.

Speaking to newsmen on behalf of the people shortly after an enlarged meeting of stakeholders, the traditional ruler of the Abavo kingdom, Uche Irenuma II, said the zoning system had become a tradition in Ika South Local Government Area since the creation of the council over 30 years ago, adding that such should not be circumvented .

Nigerian Tribune learnt that youths, council of chiefs, leaders of different political parties and a cross section of the clan had gathered in the community to deliberate the way forward in the forthcoming council poll.

The monarch appealed to all political leaders in Ika South to maintain the status quo  in the forthcoming local government election.

“This arrangement has worked perfectly and boosted the political understanding of our people in this council and we feel that the same zoning arrangement should be adopted in the forthcoming local government election as was the case in the past,” the royal father said.

He contended that the arrangement had not only promoted political harmony, peace and development in the coumcil but also gave political impetus to inclusiveness and a sense of belonging to the people.

He further said that in furtherance to the arrangement, the people of Abavo, during the 2023 general election, mobilised and voted for the member representing Ika South in the state House of Assembly, Honourable Festus Okoh.

He urged the people of Agbor to reciprocate the gesture by throwing their weight behind the emergence of an Abavo man as the next chairman of Ika South Local Government Area in the interest of equity and fairness .

The monarch enjoined all political leaders in the local government area to work as a team and shun divisive tendencies and unnecessary pressure,  just as he admonished them to be guided by the need to advance political stability, peace   and development in the council.

The traditional ruler commended Governor Sheriff Oborewori for his development vision aimed at bringing more dividends of democracy to the people and pledged the support of Abavo people to the success of his administration.

He also appreciated former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for his landmark achievements in Abavo kingdom and state at large and prayed God to continue to prosper and bless him.

READ ALSO: Police arrest man, wife for producing fake wines in Lagos