KHANA CHAIRMANSHIP: KHAPALS DEMANDS RESPECT FOR ZONING ARRANGEMENT, INSISTS IT'S THE TURN OF CONSTITUENCY II | #RWGBLOG

KHANA CHAIRMANSHIP: KHAPALS DEMANDS RESPECT FOR ZONING ARRANGEMENT, INSISTS IT'S THE TURN OF CONSTITUENCY II

The Khana Patriotic Likeminds for SIM (KHAPALS), a group of professionals from various fields, who have been actively galvanizing support across the 19 wards of Khana Local Government Area for the emergence and administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, wishes to express our deep concerns over recent developments in Khana LGA.

We emphasize the importance of respecting the long-standing zoning arrangement of the Chairmanship position in Khana LGA, which traditionally rotates between Khana Constituencies I and II. It is critical to uphold this arrangement to maintain equity and fairness within the LGA.

Khana is administratively divided into the districts of Nyokhana, Ken-Khana, and Babbe, and politically into Constituencies I and II. While Ken-Khana and Babbe make up Constituency 1, Nyokhana stands alone as Constituency II.

Currently, all political appointments for Khana LGA are concentrated in Constituency I, this include:

1. Commissioner of Agriculture - Mr. Victor Kii from Babbe District, Khana Constituency I

2. Special Adviser to the Governor on Project Monitoring - Hon. Bariere Deeyah from Babbe District, Khana Constituency I

3. Rectors of Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic and Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic - Dr. Ledum Gwara and Dr. Moses Neebee, both from Babbe District, Khana Constituency I

 

4. Commissioner of Environment - Mr. Sydney Gbara from Ken-Khana District, Khana Constituency I

5. Khana Caretaker Chairman- Amb. Marvin Yobana from Ken-Khana District, Khana Constituency I

5. Immediate Past Chairman of Khana LGA - Dr. Thomas Bariere from Ken-Khana District, Khana Constituency I

All these appointments are concentrated in Khana Constituency 1, while Nyokhana District, which makes up Khana Constituency II and is larger than Constituency I by voting strength and population, remains without any state appointments. This leaves Khana Constituency II politically marginalized and without representation at the state level, which is a grave injustice.

Historically, the Chairmanship position in Khana LGA has always alternated between Constituencies 1 and 2. To set the record straight;

In 2007, the Chairmanship of Khana LGA was assigned to Constituency 1, and Hon. Bariledum Greg Nwidam from Constituency 1 became Chairman. Following his tenure, the Chairmanship shifted to Constituency 2, where Barr. Lahteh Loolo was elected. After Lahteh's term, the Chairmanship returned to Constituency 1, and Dr. Thomas Bariere, the immediate past Chairman, was elected. Now, it is the turn of Constituency 2 to produce the next Chairman of Khana Local Government Area.

We appeal to the people of Constituency 1 to respect the existing zoning arrangement and avoid heating up the polity.

In light of these concerns, we earnestly call on His Excellency, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, a leader known for his commitment to justice and equality, to address this political imbalance by supporting a candidate from Khana Constituency II for the next Chairman of Khana Local Government Area. This appeal is not just a request, but a matter of conscience. We further urge our dedicated Governor to choose a young, grassroots leader who can unite the people of Khana and effectively bring the "Rivers First" agenda to the local level, rather than relying on the same old politicians who have consistently failed the Khana community. It is crucial for the stability of Khana and the success of Governor Fubara’s administration, which must continue for the full eight years without any interruptions.

Signed:

Engr. Golden Kuru

President, Khana Patriotic Likeminds for SIM, KHAPALS