VIOLENCE (Vanguard Newspaper) – was averted at Umunede when some suspected political thugs disrupted a peaceful rally staged by a group of people in Ika North East local government area of the state over alleged marginalisation. The protesters were calling for equitable distribution of political appointments and social amenities among the nine kingdoms in the local government.
According to the spokesman of the people, Mr. Andrew Ndidi Egonte, “the peaceful protest has become necessary, as it would go a long way in checkmating the alleged monumental political imbalance in the local government area. The rally was organised to peacefully protest the perpetual marginalisation of the people of Umunede, Ute-Ogbeje, Mbiri, Ute-Okpu, Idumuesah, Igbodo, Otolokpo and Akumazi kingdoms.
“While Ika North East is made up of nine autonomous kingdoms with nine autonomous traditional rulers”, he went on, “it is sad and unfortunate to mention that Owa kingdom is overloaded with political appointments at the detriment of the other eight kingdoms.
“In Owa-Alero, almost all the roads have been tarred but there is no road from Umunede to Otolokpo and other kingdoms in the core east of the local government.”
He further added that “17 people from Owa kingdom occupied political positions in the immediate past Chief James Onanefe Ibori’s administration in the state, adding that five of them (Owa natives) are already occupying lucrative positions in the Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan-led administration”.
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