Chisom Gbali Sitting On Keg Of Gunpowder – Group
-Bethel Toby
A non-governmental organization in Rivers State, the Oyigbo League of Friends for Good Governance (OYILOFOG), has described the recent declaration made by some individuals proclaiming that the State Commissioner for Youth Development and Leader of the Simplified Movement, Oyigbo Chapter, Dr. Chisom Kenneth Gbali is the sole candidate for the Chairmanship slot of Oyigbo Local Government Area in the scheduled October 5, 2024 Local Government elections in the state,noting that the growing hijacking rate of leadership positions in the Local Government Area by desperate politicians, who want to remain in power longer than expected at the detriment of others as alleged, is alarming since the emergence of democratic governance some 25 years ago.
This is contained in a statement by the group shortly after her National Working Committee (NWC) meeting in Port-Harcourt, and signed by its President, Dr Ishmael Okere, Secretary, Pastor Micah Acho Ekeke and Director of Media and Publicity, Barr. Faustina Owulo respectively, the group maintained that on his ambition to contest the seat of Chairman of Oyigbo LGA under consensus candidature without consultation by some self-made leaders of Dr. Chisom Gbali remains laughable and mission impossible.
The group, in the statement, lamented that the Commissioner was currently sitting on a keg of gunpowder, if the so- to – speak sole candidacy is not critically addressed urgently.
It noted that the decisions which was hurriedly made by over – ambitious leaders in the area, without following due process, rather went ahead to pronounced Chisom Gbali as consensus candidate for the position of Chairman in the polls wil be resisted.
” Things are normally much better when the right thing is done, with the right people.When you have someone that shares the same mind, opinion, feelings and aspirations with the electorate, you remained in the right track of achieving your goal.Not for someone who chooses the path of greed, cheat, self-centeredness and politics of ‘ take it all syndrome ‘ become a leader, talkless of taking the position of Chairman of a Local Government.
“It is high- time for Oyigbo people to tell ourselves the truth.It is on record that currently Dr. Chisom Kenneth Gbali’s axis of Oyigbo LGA, Umuihueze Clan, precisely has the ‘upperhand’ in governance. Umuihueze Clan is boasting of a Federal Lawmaker in the person of Hon. Felix Uche Nwaeke, who represents Oyigbo/ Tai/ Eleme Federal Constituency in the Green Chambers of the National Assembly. Chisom Gbali. Commissioner for Youth Development under the Fubara-led administration in the state,Hon. Allwell Okere Ukwu , a serving Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, among others.
“Presently, the calculation of where the Chairmanship slot should be zone to, has engulfed the political space of Oyigbo, with different narratives from various quarters.
For now, Umuihueze Clan , comprisimg of Okoloma- Afam, Ayama, Obunku, Umuosi, Egberu, Afam Ukwu, Afam- Nta, Obeakpu and Mgbuoji Communities has hijacked all the leadership positions meant for the people of the LGA.
Therefore, the issue of adopting Dr. Chisom Kenneth Gbali as sole Chairmanship candidate by his alleged paymasters and co- travellers in the area would not stand, talkless of seeing the light of the day, as we are ready to mobilize voters against such arrangement as an elected Local Government Chairman.
We will vote and
mobilize voters against him.Instead, we will vote and mobilize voters for another candidate in another political party different from the People ‘s Democratic Party (PDP), whose platform, Gbali’s Chairmanship Campaign is anchored on in the polls.
“To keep the records straight, that from 1999 till date, we have had only seven democratically elected Council Chairmen, Caretaker Committee Chairmen not inclusive.”Between 1999 to 2002, a son of Umuihueze Clan, in the person of Hon. Bright Jacob, from Obeakpu – Ndoki, was produced as an elected Chairman, as he completed his 3 years tenure without interruption.
In 2004 to 2005, an Umuokobo son, from Umuagbai- Ndoki, Deacon Sunday Kanu was elected Chairman, but spent only a year and six months, due to impeachment crisis.
Though, his tenure was truncated, as Council was dissolved.Also between 2008 and 2011, Late Chief ( Hon.) Precious Offorji, from Asa axis of Oyigbo LGA was elected Chairman; thereafter followed by Hon. Felix Uche Nwaeke from Obeakpu – Ndoki ( Umuihueze Clan) from 2011 to 2014, whose tenure was completed in 3 years.
” Hon. Acho Elechi, who came from Asa axis of the LGA, was elected Chairman in 2015, but was booted out of office by the Court.”
“We, however, called on our peace – loving and listening father, leader and Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS and the entire family of the People’s Democratic Party ( PDP) in Rivers State to disregard such pronouncement made by some political mischief – makers, mandating Dr. Chisom Kenneth Gbali,as their sole candidate, and not that of the entire Oyigbo people in the coming Local Government polls.
“As far as we are concerned, Oyigbo people are still searching for a credible and Pro- people Leader from Umuokubo axis of Oyigbo LGA to head them in the coming Local Government dispensation.
” We would be grateful that our Governor and the PDP family in the state compels Chisom Gbali and his friends to desist forthwith from such an obnoxious habits and interests of contesting the Chairmanship position of our dear Local Government in the forth-coming elections, rather should concentrate on his assignment in the state as Honourable Commissioner for Youth Development.
“We used this medium to urge him to stay away from the forth-coming polls, as failure will be his surname,” the group declared.