The people of Tarakiri Kingdom in Patani Local Government Area of Delta State have appealed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to help address the 27 years political marginalization meted on the people and kingdom by the political class of Patani.
In a communique issued after an enlarged meeting which held at Odorubu,Patani Local Government Area under the auspices of Tarakiri People’s Congress, the people said since the creation of Patani local government council 27 years ago, no Tarakiri son or daughter has been appointed commissioner or elected Assembly member or Council Chairman.
The communique signed by Honourable Aroebi Agbai, Chief Emus Ese Gregory and Pastor (Dr) Avwoke Eloroghene Frederick said Patani local government area is made up of 3 Kingdoms namely Kabowei Clan, Kumbowei Clan and Tarakiri Clan.
According to them….”we have been short changed politically and marginalized to the core, not as if we don’t have qualified persons to occupy these positions. We appeal strongly to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to address this political imbalance to give us a sense of belonging particularly as the state will soon be set for another round of local government council election “.
“We demand a new political arrangement on grounds of fairness, equity and justice to be adopted for the rotation and even distribution of political offices anchored on the three kingdoms that make up Patani local government area”.
“It is politically oppressive that Tarakiri Clan among the three kingdoms have not occupied the House of Assembly seat, elected Council Chairman or appointed as Commissioner for 27 year of our political history”.
“We demand to produce the next council Chairman for Patani local government council and state categorically that we will not resort to violence or anything that will bring disrepute to the MORE Agenda but rather we shall engage in dialogue, lobbying, rallies and other peaceful means to come out of this “political prison” .
“The people of Tarakiri Kingdom appeal to political leaders and well meaning individuals in Patani to please intervene by presenting our cry to the authorities and pledge our unflinching support to the Rt.Hon.Sheriff Oborevwori administration “.
According to the communique, Patani local government has 16 communities under the three separate kingdoms namely Kabowei Kingdom with the following communities, Abari, Aruke, Patani, Koloware and Aven while Kumbowei kingdom has Amatebe, Tamukunon, Agoloma, Toru-Apelebri, Bulu-Apelebiri, Toru-Angiama and Bulu-Angiama and Tarakiri Kingdom with Adobou, Odorubu, Uduophori and Kene-ebedebiri.
“Those that have occupied the Council as Chairman include Engr.(Dr) Pius Sinebe (1997-1998- Kabowei Clan), Barrister Raymos Bolowei Guanah (1999-2002-Kabowei Clan), Hon.Austin Bebeteidoh (2004-2007)-Kabowei Clan), Hon (Chief) Mrs Josephine Abeki (2008-2011) and (2014-2017-Kabowei Clan), Hon (Barr) Perez Omoun (2018-2021-Kumbowei Clan) and Hon.Isaac Aguanah (2021-2024- Kumbowei Clan)”.
“While those that have been elected to represent Patani Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly are Rt.Hon.Basil Ganagana (1999-2015- Kumbowei Clan) Hon.Timi Tonye (2015-2019-Kabowei Clan) and Hon Amatare Emmanuel Sinebe (2019-2027-Kabowei Clan)”.
“The following persons have been appointed as commissioners and members of the Delta State Executive Council from 1999 to date,they include Barr.Raymos Guanah( Kabowei Clan)Barr.Brave Enodeh(Kabowei Clan),Dr Chris Ekiyor(Kabowei Clan),Dr Timi Tonye(Kabowei Clan),Sir Jude Sinebe(Kabowei Clan), Rt Hon.Basill Ganagana(Kumbowei) and Barr.Perez Omoun (Kumbowei Clan)”.
“In all of these appointments and elections,you can see that only Tarakiri Kingdom has been heavily short changed and marginalized politically,whereas our support to the ruling People’s Democratic Party since 1999 to date has been unrivaled ,the results are there to show,what we peacefully demands is political inclusion as we approach another political dispensation in the forthcoming council election “.