The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders from Itabono ward 1 have protested against alleged attempt to alter existing zoning arrangement in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue state.
The stakeholders in a protest letter to the state governor, Samuel Ortom, alleged that the current caretaker committee chairman of the LGA, Prince Samuel Onuh, has contrary to the zonal arrangement in Owukpa, purchased the expression of interest and nomination forms to contest the Ogbadibo chairmanship election.
The stakeholders alleged that Prince Onuh’s action was against existing party and traditional zoning formula for the area, which had been in existence in Ogbadibo since its creation in 1991.
The letter titled, “Protest against Hon Prince Onuh, the Caretaker Chairman, Ogbadibo Local Government for his “political falsehood,” was signed by the PDP ward chairman, secretary, women and youth leaders and other party stakeholders and circulated Thursday.
The letter of protest dated October 28, 2019, which was sent to Gov Ortom and copied to the state party chairman, John Ngbede, Ogbadibo party leader, Adaba Abah, and the council party chairman, Hon Vincent Amuche, respectively, said it is an attempt to hijack the position against previous arrangement.
“The reason for our protest, therefore, is that surprisingly, Hon Onuh, the caretaker chairman, went ahead and purchased his form claiming that the chairmanship position has been zoned to his Ward (EHAJE WARD 1) contrary to the accepted zoning formula and what was agreed upon by Owukpa PDP caucus.
“We, therefore, appeal for Your Excellency to call Hon. Onuh to order to respect the zoning formula. If Onuh is allowed to continue, the zoning structure in Ogbadibo will be disorganised and its consequences will be severe”.
“Finally, zoning policy commences in Ogbadibo since its creation in 1991 and has ever been respected at the LG down to the districts and to the Ward levels”.
The stakeholders called on the state governor to quickly step in to ensure the existing zoning arrangement remains sacrosanct.
