Following the declaration of October 5th, 2024 as date for local council polls in Rivers State, a group, the Khana Patriotic Likeminds for SIM (KHAPALS), are now calling on parties and political leaders in Khana LGA to respect the existing zoning arrangement between the two constituencies that make up the LGA.
The group in a statement by its president, Golden Kuru in a statement emphasized that it is the turn of Constituency 2 to produce the next chairman of the council.
“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: Commissioner of Agriculture – Mr. Victor Kii from Babbe District, Khana Constituency I, Special Adviser to the Governor on Project Monitoring – Hon. Bariere Deeyah from Babbe District, Khana Constituency I, 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, Commissioner of Environment – Mr. Sydney Gbara from Ken-Khana District, Khana Constituency I, Khana Caretaker Chairman- Amb. Marvin Yobana from Ken-Khana District, Khana Constituency I and Immediate Past Chairman of Khana LGA – Dr. Thomas Bariere from Ken-Khana District, Khana Constituency I,” he said.
The statement added: “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”.
The group noted that 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”.
The group appealed to people from constituency 1 to respect the existing arrangement.
The group appealed to Governor Siminalayi Fubara to wade in and support a candidate from Constituency II to address the political imbalance.
