Oyi/Ayamelum Federal Constituency:  Protests Trail Distortion Of Zoning  Arrangement

OGBUEFI HARRIS CHUMA

In the run-up to the 2015 General Elections, zoning was quite a contentious issue in Oyi/Ayamelum Federal Constituency. Recently, as APGA primary elections draw nearer, the zoning formula adopted by the party which saw to the emergence of Hon Gabriel Onyewife the incumbent Federal House Member Representing the Constituency has been resurrected with all sorts of arguments and counter-arguments.

In an interview with a Key APGA Stakeholder from Oyi LGA, Chief Pius Okoye(Oyi of Oyi) maintains that there was an agreement between Oyi and Ayamelum APGA Chieftains which took place in his country home.

“The truth is that there was an agreement to allow Barrister Gabriel Onyewife  conclude the turn of Ayamelum, and the gentleman swore before our very eyes to a single tenure.  He solicited our support to stand as a sole Candidate of APGA for the primary election. We knew his political clout and antecedents,  here was a 2-term House of Assembly Member. Sincerely, we desperately needed a break at the National Assembly polls. He had assured us that after the expiration of his first term, that he would not recontest, that Oyi should be supported to take their turn. Before 2015 elections,  APGA party Stakeholders had agreed on 8-year tenure per Local Government Area. And 2019 will mark the end of Ayamelum’s 8years at the Federal House of Representatives. We the people of Oyi LGA should be allowed to take our turn in the interest of fairness and equity” Chief Pius disclosed.

Zoning is equally a contentious issue at the grassroots. It has always been and it is already so regarding this year’s Federal House of Representatives primary  election which is expected to be held in four months  as may be resolved by the Party.

Meanwhile, Protests have continued to trail alleged distortion of zoning arrangements ahead the APGA primary election.

Most APGA  Party Stalwarts from Ayamelum LGA have appealed to the Party National Leadership to respect the established zoning principle in the election for the House of Rep position to avoid unnecessary tension and instability in the area.

“the old zoning arrangement subsists and it is the turn of Ndi Oyi for the house of Representatives seat. I’m a party Chieftain from Ayamelum and was instrumental to the zoning arrangement that Barrister Onyewife is the beneficiary today. We have agreement with Ndi Oyi that after the completion of Anyamelu’s turn in 2019 that we will not seek for reelection of Onyewife. We wish to advise our great son Barrister Onyewife Owelle Umunbo to respect the Spirit of the agreement with Ndi Oyi and do the needful ” said a Party Stalwart who pleaded anonymity.

A crisis is brewing over the issue.
It is a delicate and potentially explosive issue if not handled with care. It is a tricky issue which will require much tact to handle by the political leaders of the Oyi and Ayamelum LGAs because of the precedent it is likely to set.

Recently,  major Stakeholders of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and other interest groups in Oyi and Ayamelum have alleged attempt to endorse the incumbent House member by a selfish Cabal as APGA candidate in the forthcoming election.

A call for APGA Stakeholders of both Oyi and Ayamelum LGAs meeting to address the issues bordering on zoning arrangement has become expedient and Party Leadership should wade into the brewing crisis and nib it in the board.

Ekenem!