Group Makes Case For PHALGA Chairmanship Ahead Rivers Council Polls

Ahead of the October 5 local government elections in Rivers State, the Abali -Bu -Otu Progressive Front, a socio-cultural organization in Abali Clan of Rebisi Kingdom in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, has called for the zoning of the next elected chairmanship position to the clan.
The organisation, which said this in a press statement made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt, also decried the alleged continuous marginalisation of Abali Clan by political leaders in the area.
According to the statement, out of the seven clans of Rebisi Kingdom, Oro Abali Clan is among the three clans that have never been given an opportunity to produce an elected chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area despite the fact that the clan has the highest number of Wards in the LGA.
“The office of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area has never been zoned either on clan basis or along the Port Harcourt Federal Constituencies 1 and 2, rather political leadership had always used their positions and powers to decide in favour of their respective clans”, it said.
Jointly signed by Hon.Kingsley Ihunwo, chairman Abali Bu OTU Progressive Front and Manuchimso Wopara, secretary, the statement urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to intervene by calling on the political leadership of Rebisi Kingdom to concede the chairmanship position this time around to Oro Abali clan.
“Your Excellency, as the state advances towards the 2024 Local Government Elections, it has become extremely necessary for the Oro Abali clan to once again draw your attention to the political marginalisation of the clan by successive political leadership in the local government area despite the fact that we have the highest number of Wards and registered voters in the local government area.
“In the light of the forgoing, we most respectfully urge your Excellency to graciously consider the fact that what is good for the other clans is also good for the Oro Abali clan and disregard any attempt, plan or arrangement to deny Oro Abali clan the opportunity of producing the next chairman of the Port Harcourt City Local Government Area”, it said.
The group also pledged its loyalty and support to the state government.

By: John Bibor