A former Deputy Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Solomon Funkekeme, has described demands for zoning the Burutu Federal Constituency seat as ‘infantile’.
Funkekeme, a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party, stated this when members of the Burutu Credibility Front led by Elder Darlington Owan, paid him a consultative visit at his Warri residence, on Sunday.
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The erstwhile Senior Political Adviser to the Delta State Government noted that rotational representation is better word compared to the ‘divisive’ word, zoning.
“The word zoning does not apply. Rotational representation is the point. I do not see any quarrel in it. The question remains if it is desirable. Yes if you ask me, but is it timely, no” he said.
The former lawmaker representing Burutu South Constituency emphasized that the two state constituencies have remained a single entity, and as such, proper orientation should be the other of the day for zoning seekers.
“Burutu North and South has always existed together. We need to educate ourselves on terminal tenures known as tenure limits.
“For instance, party and council chairmen can only go twice. But there is no constitutional limit for legislatures.
“It therefore means that a representative is left to earn the next tenure if they perform well.
“Council chairmen have always served for one tenure in Burutu prior to the last dispensation. That was because the question of tenure limit was risen,” he stressed.
Funkekeme further added that parliamentarians become better at discharging their duties when they spend more time in legislative chambers.
“Parliaments ride on ranking, meaning that a parliamentarian gains more experience with more tenures. In the US and UK, some parliamentarians have been legislating for 50 years.
“It is not wrong for us to imply rotational representation, but the timing is too late.
“A zoning discussion would have been germane immediately after the last election. Rotation is fine but there should be a right time to discuss that.”
The respected politician also threw shades at unscrupulous elements hiding behind the guise a people-focused train to drive their own selfish agendas
“Don’t set up any stupid groups to confuse the electorates if you don’t have the capacity to win elections.
“Don’t twist your personal agendas to that of the entire Burutu people. Your ambition is your personal business.
“To contest an election, you must be ready spiritually, physically and financially,” he added.
Commending the BCF for taking up credibility as a driving point towards candidates emergence in the PDP, he noted that zoning should be a lesser concern to Burutu people.
“We have more things to say. Very urgent issues youth group should take up to the leadership.
“Ayakoromo bridge, road connection and deficit in the higher institution in our areas.
“Zoning in Burutu is an infantile demand. Youth groups should liaise and pressure the government to bring urgent development to our areas.
“We all need to understand that Burutu is one and not think of how to divide it,” he said.
