According to Mr. Ebeye, there has been no change in
baton of leadership of the ruling party in Ika South Local Government as he
remains the incumbent PDP Chairman of the Local Government Council, against
rumours making the rounds in the LGA and beyond.
Buttressing his point, Mr. Ebeye produced the
harmonized list of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ika South Local Government Secretariat
dated 25th July, 2008 where he, James Ebeye was listed as the PDP
Chairman of the LGA. The harmonized list was signed by Hon. B.I.O. Obuh, PDP
Chairman, Delta North Senatorial District, Hon. Hilary Ibude, Executive
Chairman, Ika South Local Government Area, Rt. Hon. Martins Okonta, Speaker
DTHA, Hon. Engr. Doris Uboh, member, Federal House of Representative, Abuja and
Chief Hon. Sonni Akpenyi, former member, DTHA, Asaba.
According to him, the harmonized list is still the
authentic document of reference.
On the issue of the alleged non-inclusion of his name
in the list of delegates to the Peoples Democratic Party?s 2009 National
Convention held at Abuja,
Mr. Ebeye disclosed that his name was never excluded from the list. Rather, his
name was allegedly manipulated out of the brochure for the event between the
place of its origination and the press, a development which according to him
was quickly made known to Hon. Doris Uboh, member, House of Representative,
Abuja, who in turn informed the National Chairman of the party of the alleged
discrepancy. ?At this point, the Delta State PDP Chairman, Barr. Peter
Nwaoboshi was asked to take charge of the situation, which he did?, Mr. Ebeye
stated. He further said that he took part in the convention and received
whatever was due his category at the convention.
Still on the 2009 PDP National Convention and the
alleged exclusion of his name, Mr. Ebeye referred the reporter to the Pointer
Newspaper of Friday, April 17, 2009, page 9 in particular, where names of both National
and State delegates to the convention were published. He said number 1 on the
list was His Excellency, Governor Emmanuel E. Uduaghan, closely followed by his
Deputy, His Excellency Prof. Amos Utuama at number 2, the state PDP Chairman
Barr. Peter Nwaoboshi number 3, Hon. Engr. Doris Uboh, Federal House of
Representative, Abuja number 10, the Presidential Adviser on National Assembly
Affairs, Hon. Dr. Cairo Ojougboh number 28, DTHA Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martins
Okonta number 30, the Chairman, Ika South PDP, Hon. James Ebeye number 80, the
Executive Chairman of Ika South Local Government Area, Hon. Hilary Ibude number
109 and Hon. Chief Sonni Akpenyi number 130. He wondered where the alleged
non-inclusion rumour emanated from.
Turning to the reporter, he posed a rhetoric question,
?what was the aim of the PDP 2009 National Convention? The purpose of the
Convention was amendment of some aspects of the PDP?s Constitution termed
Relevant Provisions on Amendment of the Party?s Constitution, like article
12.93 and 26.1?
producing a document signed by Chief Hon. Olusola Oke, National Legal Adviser
to the party on the purpose of the convention, adding caustically that it was
not meant to remove and replace anybody, nor was it a ground for swearing in
any officer. Mr. Ebeye also referred to Article 14, which has the tenure of
office for PDP executives as 4 years, and another 4 years if re-elected.
Asked how meetings of party faithful are held under the
present circumstance, Mr. Ebeye said that he still chairman?s meetings at the
Ika South PDP, office at No. 188 Mariere Street, Orogodo Agbor, the only PDP
Secretariat in Ika South Local Government Council, pointing out that meetings
which hold every 2 weeks was held last on Friday 29th May, 2009. He
also revealed that he was elected in November 2007 and was sworn-in in March
2008, reminding all that cares to hear that he has a 4-year term to run, and
another 4 years if re-elected.
Responding to the question on what he has done so far
in reaction to the mandate which is allegedly being taken away from him, Mr.
Ebeye said that he has gone to court, because he believes in the rule of law,
for the judiciary to decide the issue. He said the first hearing has been
adjourned to 12th June, by the High Court, Agbor.
Mr. Ebeye who said that the above information has
become necessary to clarify issues on the PDP leadership in Ika South, urged
all party faithful to, when in doubt, always come to the secretariat at Mariere
Street to seek clarification in order to avoid being misled by anybody. He also
advised anybody in high position of authority to act with caution especially
when issues at stake are capable of causing disaffection, fractionalization and
threat to public peace.
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