By Austin Ogwuda
THE last is yet to be heard over the serious contestation regarding which clan amongst the three clans that comprise Aniocha South local government area should produce the next Council Chairmanship candidate as aggrieved protesters from Nsukwa stormed Government House, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria.
They barricaded the entrance to the Government House to drive home their position on the zoning issue, claiming to be the rightful clan whose turn it is, to produce the Chairmanship candidate.
Ironically, the protest is coming barely twenty four hours Hon Joan Onyemaechi resigned her appointment as Commissioner in Governor Sheriff Oborevwori led government in order to pave way for her brother to emerge as the Council Chairmanship candidate, since there had been bickering on why the Chairmanship candidate should emerge from the same family and clan simultaneously holding the Commissionership slot.
Onyemaechi also contended that it is the turn of her clan – Ubulu-Ukwu to produce Chairmanship candidate.
There are three clans in Aniocha South local government area, namely Nsukwa, Ogwashi Ukwu and Ubulu-Ukwu.
Political pundits thought that by sacrificing the Commissionership position held by her, peace would have ordinarily returned, but the reverse is the case as the local government is still boiling.
But it appears that she has just lost that plum position of a Commissioner for nothing as there are still contending forces battling her from left, right and centre over the same zoning arrangement.
As the time of filing this report, the protesters who claimed to be members of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), under the aegis of Concerned Nsukwa Clan Youths still besieged the Government House main entrance insisting that it is the turn of Nsukwa clan to produce the next Chairmanship candidate.
Different placards were displayed, some of which written – “Nsukwa Clan is not a political slave”; “Say yes to equity, fairness, justice and balance in Aniocha south”; “Youth of Aniocha South endorse Nsukwa Clan mandate”; “Say no to political impunity, manipulation and oppression in Aniocha South” “On Equity we stand” and “Nsukwa Clan Council Chairmanship 2024 is non negotiable “.
Others include – “Senator Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa let Aniocha South south breathe”; “Say no to family business in Aniocha South; “Nsukwa Clan deserved the Council Chairmanship and “Nsukwa Clan wants Council Chairman or no deal”.
Traffic was disrupted affecting both vehicular and human movements for hours as the protesters marched through the streets, although in peaceful manner brandishing their placards.
*Photo caption: the Nsukwa clan protesters at Government House gate
*Pic: Credit to The Story