The Burutu Local Government Area Concerned Stakeholders for Good Governance has warned the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta state, against the imposition of a candidate ahead of the forthcoming local government election.
Rising from a crucial meeting held in Warri on Tuesday, the stakeholders, frowned at the surreptitious move by some political elements to subvert the will of the people and make mockery of the key institution of democracy.
In a communique signed by Chief Amala Gbogi, the stakeholders vowed to resist any unpopular decision that will be a setback to their quest for rapid socio-economic development.
The communique read “History they say is replete with examples and it reminds us of how similar happenings in the past have helped shaped many political associations and political parties. The PDP as a political party is built on the tenets of justice and fair play and that is why it is today recognised as the best and biggest political institution in Africa.
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“Any deviation from this ethically oriented or ideological posture for this great party through acts of deliberate omission or commission to hijack the Local Government Council election would lead to a great calamity that would lead to the destabilization and anarchy in our Local Local Government.
“We decided to come public because the bird cried in the night and the baby died the next morning. It has come to our attention the plot by some persons and the leaders in Burutu Local Government Area, to handpick and impose a candidate to the Burutu populace for the forthcoming Local Government Council Election.
“There is evidence on the ground and it is no longer in the realm of a rumour that there is gang up by some highly respected leader in Burutu LGA to cause chaos for selfish reasons and they should be called to order.
“We would not allow anybody no matter how highly placed to think he can preside over the death of our Local Government which has become a memento for our struggle for genuine democracy and developments in all its ramifications.
“We therefore wish to raise the alarm over what is happening clandestinely, and which has now become something in the public domain because even the walls have ears. We plead with all leaders to use their good reputation to nip it in the bud.
“This is because the Local Government election is at hand and as party men and stakeholders, we think we should not be engaged in anything that would bring our Local Government to disrepute as its consequences politically, economically, socially and culturally would be too grave for us as a Local Government.
“Burutu people are now more politically sophisticated and they must be allowed through a credible process to recruit their leaders as this is what differentiates us from the other political parties. The signs on the horizon seems not to be palatable.”
The group urged all stakeholders and leaders in the area to provide a level playing ground for all qualified and competent aspirants vying for the Council Chairmanship.
They also called on all youths, women and stakeholders to add their voices to the echoes of the true tenets of democracy hallmarking the yearning of all peace-loving and morally stable people ahead of the election.
They said: “A single person in Burutu Local Government cannot and will never decide for the entire Burutu Local Government populace. We have seen the past records of LGA Chairmen in our Local Government, it is only Rt. Hon. Godsknow Angele that ruled second term because of his extreme performance as a Council Chairman. Any attempt by any leader to make reference to Angele case to cause confusion and chaos in Burutu Local will be unacceptable.
“Rt. Hon.Godsknow Angele performed excellently as a Council Chairman in terms of infrastructural development, security, socio-economic development, human empowerment, inclusive governance, accessibility and prudent management of available resources to address developmental issues. We need only Angele Godsknow replica to take the mantle of leadership in the forthcoming Burutu Local Government Council election.
“We need someone that can consolidate Hon. Godsknow Angele developmental strides so that Burutu Local Government populace will continue to enjoy democratic dividends in all ramifications. Someone that will stay in Burutu from Monday to Friday for official duties as Council chairman. We need a Council chairman that will be accessible, peace-loving and people friendly and can always put smiles on the faces of the less privileged and others.
“As many political gladiators continue to show interest across the Local Government to contest the 2024 Burutu Local Government Council Chairmanship election, we only need a proactive, productive and progressive politician in Burutu Local Government that is capable of promoting youths and women employment and empowerment as Rt. Hon. Godsknow Angele did.
“It is also important that, we should only allow financial independent, already economically established personality to mount the Burutu LGA Chairmanship. Someone that is capable enough to use his personal resources to address challenges when the need arises.
“As we are preparing for the 2024 Burutu Local Government Council election, we must carefully and diligently work out a Council Chairman with the temperament and skills to pilot the ship of our Local Government in an inclusive and results-oriented manner.
“We call on all current Burutu LGA political appointees in Governor Sheriff Oborevwore’s administration to use their offices to lobby and attract development to Burutu Local Government.
“We are appealing to our national leaders to play an advisory role rather than imposing their political sons and loyalists on the Burutu LGA populace. We must know that, politics has grown beyond imposing candidate out of the people’s choice in Burutu LGA.
“It is also on record that, from the creation of Burutu Local Government in 1976, ward 11, an oil producing area that greatly contribute to economic growth of Burutu Local Government, Delta State and Nigeria have not tasted the Council Chairmanship office. For equity, fairness and justice sake, we are appealing and calling all political leaders and stakeholders in Burutu Local Government to consider ward 11 for the Burutu LGA Chairmanship in the forthcoming Council election.
“We also admonish all current Burutu LGA political appointees in Governor Sheriff Oborevwore administration to remain focus, dedicated and committed to their official and primary assignment in supporting Governor Sheriff Oborevwore’s MORE Agenda rather nurturing ambition to join the Burutu LGA Chairmanship race.”
