WHY THE CURRENT POLITICAL CONFIGURATION IN ETHIOPE WEST L. G. A NEEDS TO BE RESTRUTURED

Many would agree that since the wake of the present political dispensation, Ethiope West Local Government Area has remained a point of reference in terms of the strategic political understanding and connection that exist among the people of the local government area, particularly among its political leaders in the three clan that make up the local government area.
We could say that this political connection and relationship dates back to the 4th Republic in 1991, during the Gen. Badamasi Babagida orchestrated transition program. The relationship ensured that every section of Ethiope West L. G. A was represented in the political configuration of the local government area.
As a people aware of how this political understanding and bond could play a key role in the overall development and well-being of Ethiope West L. G. A and its people, this understanding was sustained into the present political dispensation in 1999, as every segment of the local government area was made to have a sense of belonging through patronages in the form of political appointments, elective positions, infrastructural and human capital development.
The benefits of that political understanding and relationship are evident for everyone to see. Apart from the fact that, it has brought about unprecedented attainments and success in terms of human capital and infrastructural developments, it has also played a key role in strengthening the unity, solidarity and cohesion among the people of Ethiope West Local Government Area.
It is apparently as a result of the above factors that it has been the hope and prayers of many in Ethiope West L. G. A, that this understanding and relationship should be sustained, going by the fact that, it has proven to possess the capacity and potential to drive the overall development, growth and progress of Ethiope West Local Government Area and its people.
However, political developments in Ethiope West Local Government Area over the last three years clearly suggests that, the understanding and relationship that has hitherto existed among the people of the local government area and that has been remarkably responsible for theur enviable place in the socio-political dynamics delta state is been threatened, a development that could have grave implication for the political fortunes and the future of the people and the future of the people of Ethiope West L. G. A if not nipped in the bud.
Let’s look at political developments in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for example, elective and virtually all appointive political positions meant for the local government area, ate presently being occupied by a section of the local government area.
For instance, the chairman of Ethiope West L. G. A is from Oghara, so is the chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) of the local government, and as well as the member representing Ethiope West State Constituency at the Delta State House of Assembly. This is in addition to the fact that the current Managing Director of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) is also from Oghara, and as well as the chairman of the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission(DESIEC).
There is no doubt That the current configuration of Ethiope West L. G. A clearly undermines and destabilizes the political understanding and connection that has existed among the people of the local government area before now, and it obviously smacks of insensitivity and inconsiderateness of those behind it.
While this writer finds no pleasure in saying this, the truth however remains that, unless this lopsided political configuration is addressed with the seriousness it demands, the ruling party in the State should be rest assured that, this clear act of injustice, prejudice and self-centeredness is capable of wreaking havoc for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the up coming election in the local government area.
No one needs to be told that the people of Ethiope West Local Government Area are aggrieved with the current political developments in the area. It is the opinion of this writer that everyone in Ethiope West L. G. A should be treated as equal stakeholders. Whether we like it or not, the current political situation in Ethiope West L. G. A is already taking a toll on the unity and Concord that has until now existed amongst the three clans that make up the local government area.
It is against the above background that I want to call on His Excellency, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa, His Excellency, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, former executive Gov. Of Delta State, Hon. (Chief) Ighoyota Amori, Hon. (Chief) John Nani, Hon. (Chief) Emmanuel Ighomena and all political stakeholders and all people of good conscience in Ethiope West L. G. A, to rise up to confront this stark injustice that seeks to destabilize and disunite us as a people.

Mike Ufuoma Oyovwikiho
For Ethiope West Monitor.