E
TELLS CRITICS
By
Augustine Ekamagule
A political big wig of the People’s Democratic Party,
PDP, in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, Hon John Nwagimeje has
condemned in its entirety, the desperate efforts of some critics in the polity
whom he said unnecessarily attack the royal palaces, especially the palace of
the Dein of Agbor kingdom, for the
failure of the people elected into position to attract the dividends of
democracy to the electorate.
Hon Nwagimeje made the condemnation in an interview
with newsmen in his residence in Agbor at the weekend, while reacting to the
attack in a community tabloid directed at the royal palace of the Dein of Agbor kingdom.
The political stalwart said “Having been in partisan
politics for upwards of 33 years, I would
not fold my arms moping at critics in the polity misdirecting their attacks on
the traditional rulers in the area.”
If the appointment of the Queen mother as a commissioner has made some
critics to wag their tongues against the palace, Hon Nwagimeje pointed out it
was no news that a royalty held a political appointment, adding that in 1959,
the then Obi of Agbor kingdom was appointed a minister in the defunct Western regime of Nigeria, during
the time of Action Group, (AG), insisting that the Queen mother’s appointment
should not unnecessarily raise dust.
Hon Nwagimeje posited that full scale service to the
palace with tributes towards its up keep, used to be prevalent but is now not
practicable, adding that the royalty have every right to accept any political
appointment even though they (the royalty) are not in partisan politics.
The political stalwart renowned as political guru,
called on the political stake holders in Agbor kingdom to concentrate on
presenting issues that are affecting the development of the kingdom to the
government in order to attract the crucial needs of Agbor people to the
kingdom.
Hon Nwagimeje further said. “I am appealing to my
brothers and sisters to stop raising the issues concerning the palace of the
Dein of Agbor kingdom on the pages of newspapers reminding the palace critics
of the Ika adage, which says, “Dein nwon Agbor, Agbor nwon Dein,” meaning Dein
owns Agbor and Agbor Owns the Dein.” Why then should one criticize oneself or
wash ones dirty underwear in the public?” the leader asked.
Harping on the critics call in the community tabloid
on representatives of Ika ethnic nationality in Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s
government to resign as a result of non performance, Hon Nwagimeje opined that
Governor Uduaghan’s three point agenda mostly on peace and security and
infrastructural development, were being executed, and that the procurement of
dividends of democracy is the primary assignment of the elected representatives
in the present political dispensation.
Hon Nwagime pointed out that the bane of the
politicians especially in Ika South was politics of selfishness and self
aggrandizement, pointing out that many sons of the area were to the politics of
the defunct Bendel State but failed to
attract meaningful development in the local government.
He said that the only exception is Hon Chief Francis
Isibor, whose efforts as the commissioner of Establishments in Bendel State
brought the College of Education to Agbor.
Hon. Nwagimeje disclosed that the Agbor Agenda of
2007, proposal to produce a unanimous candidate hit the rocks because of selfish interests, and therefore called
not only for a return to status quo but also for the elite of the community o
have the interest of Agbor kingdom at heart
Meanwhile, Hon Nwagimeje appealed to the governor to
disregard the negative activities of the top political stakeholders during the recent gubernatorial election, the result
of which he said, fell short of expectations, urging his Excellency to ensure
that the dividends of democracy are extended to Agbor people, especially as
regards the dualisation of Old Lagos/Asaba road, the completion of
Alisimie-Ozanogogo-Omumu road, as well as the rehabilitation of major roads in
the metropolis.
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