Concerned youths for the political liberation of Aniocha South local government have warned former governor of Delta state, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa against unnecessary interference in the polity of Aniocha South.
The youths who barricaded Delta government house while protesting to the state governor, Sheriff Oborevweri to intervene on Tuesday, asked “Okowa to let Aniocha South breath”.
The protesters carried placards with various inscriptions such as “Senator Ifeanyi Okowa let Aniocha South breath, Nsukwa clan want council chairman, Nsukwa clan deserves the council chairmanship 2024, say no to family business in Aniocha South, and Equity total liberation.
They expressed disappointment that the former governor was allegedly shielding Joan Onyemaechi who resigned her appointment as commissioner for technical education, to pave way for her younger brother, Jude Chukwunweike, the immediate past council chairman, to return.
Following the development which appears to have undermined the chances of the protesters to get the chairmanship slot, they immediately rejected the resignation of the commissioner, describing it as an act meant to deceive and manipulate the people of Nsukwa clan.
They said the resignation has no bearing on the reality on ground and gives no solution to the crisis created in the council’s polity.
The youth leader, Onyisi Okolie, said the resignation amounted to nothing, saying it has been overtaken by events, describing it as a cheap stunt that proffer no solution to the crisis she created by taking up the commissioner position meant for Nsukwa clan, abinito.
Nsukwa clan in Aniocha South local government area had mounted an unprecedented challenge and agitation against the PDP led Delta state in what they described as marginalisation of the clan.
The agitation is said to have precipitated the resignation of Joan Onyemaechi from the state cabinet, where she served as commissioner for technical education.
“I am from Ubulu clan, one of the three federating clans and the same clan with the commissioner for technical education, Joan Onyemaechi, and his younger brother, Jude Chukwunweike, who was the immediate past local covernment chairman and who is also angling to return as council chairman for a consecutive second term.
“Joan Onyemaechi knew very well the power balance within the local government with the three statutory political offices of House of Assembly, council chairman and the commissioner. She knew very well that her younger brother, Jude Chukwunweike, served as council chairman, Isaac Anwuzia of Ogwashi Uku Kingdom, haven replaced Hon Austin Chikezie of Nsukwa clan in the state house of Assembly, the natural thing was for Nsukwa clan to clinch the statutory position of commissioner.
“Nsukwa clan has prepared for the council chairmanship and what should be in consideration now is who will Nsukwa clan produce to lead us in the local government.
“So, Onyemaechi’s resignation is more like pulling wool through the eyes of the people of Aniocha South. Why take up what wasn’t meant for your clan in the first place? Just to show might? Did she resign because she cared or because she reached a dead end of resistance?
“The people of Aniocha South and especially Nsukwa clan, have moved beyond interest in the commissioner position she hijacked. The people of Nsukwa clan are interested in the local government and are well prepared for that, and the other two clans are in support of that.”
The chief of staff to the governor, Johnson Erijo, while receiving the protesters, assured of reporting their message to the governor for prompt response.
He assured them that their earlier protest has been looked into which gave rise to this new development.
