Ahead of resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland, a political management consultant, Joe Korka-Waadah has called for equal distribution of Federal Government appointments amongst the Ogoni four local governments (Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme) in Rivers State.
Korka-Waadah who appreciated President Bola Tinubu for the appointments of some of the Ogoni indigenes in strategic positions of his led government, said subsequently the appointments should be evenly distributed amongst the four LGAs.
Speaking with journalists in Port Harcourt, yesterday, Korka-Waadah, an Ogoni indigene expressed that every federal government appointment to Ogoni have been one sided with Gokana people taking all slots.
He accused a prominent politician in the State of nominating his alleged cronies for the appointed position.
Korka-Waadah who is also the Executive Director, Compassionate Heart Foundation of Canada said although he is not opposed to those appointees following the fact that they are all qualified but urged government to ensure equitable distribution of appointment to the four Ogoni LGAs for the sake of equity, fairness and justice.
He said: “We are here today, because something has happened that has never happened before in the history of this country and history of this State. Ogoni consists of four local governments; Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme. But the last little while, all appointments from Ogoni is been given to one particular LGA and that is Gokana.
“I am calling for even distribution of Federal appointments among the Ogonis because the federal government is not even aware of this. Someone must have submitted those names to the presidency and so the understanding of the federal government I should believe is that these positions are evenly distributed amongst the Ogoni people as a way of soft landing for their resumption of oil exploration.
“The true is that we have four LGAs and nobody from the other three LGAs are given these appointments. The appointments as I said has to do with petroleum exploration. I am not calling for the appointed to be removed since they are Ogonis, they are my brothers. But what I am saying is that the way the positions is distributed is uneven and people from Khana, Tai, Eleme, nothing, everything is right there is Gokana.
“We know this is coming from the former Governor of the State and all his cronies. Senator Magnus Abe is qualified for the position he is appointed, no question about that. Prof Innocent Bariko absolutely qualified, Kenneth Kobani, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey and others. They are good for the appointed positions, but the point is that these positions should be evenly distributed and we call for more if there are so that other three LGAs can also benefit. This cannot happen in a democracy”.
Responding to questions from the Journalists, the political consultant called for total exoneration of an environmental activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa, eight others and other Ogonis who he said were unjustly executed rather than grating them pardon for a crime they never committed which he said is unacceptable.
Korka-Waadah said the people have accepted the resumption of oil exploration but the government should ensure the implementation of the Ogoni Bill of Rights which he said is the major conditions for resumption of oil exploration in the area.
According to him “The people are not saying the federal government shouldn’t come but the condition is simple; exonerate Ken Saro-Wiwa and Nine others and all the Ogonis that were brutally killed, hanged by the Nigerian State. Also, implement the Ogoni Bill of Right”.
Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
Follow us on:
