by PRESS RELEASE
FROM BOKI COUNCILLORS FORUM
THE NEXT BOKI LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRMANSHIP IS FOR ABO WARD AND CLAN
It has become necessary that we, the Boki Councillors forum( BCF) speak to the issue of the next Boki local government chairmanship position.
Boki Councillors forum is a forum that comprises over 120 former councilors who have served in Boki LG council, irrespective of current party affiliation.
We are a non-governmental organisation registered with relevant government agencies, who seek to contribute our quota to the political and economic emancipation of our people. As senior citizens, we have a duty to speak the truth to help promote unity amongst our people.
We are conscious of the fact that once an election cycle unfolds , several gladiators and actors will begin to rehearse and present arguments to buttress their position. In doing so the facts are often twisted to favour the side they want to patronize.
No matter how these facts are twisted, there is always the truth. There is no lie or half-truths that can replace the full truth because truth is imament and therefore inherently indestructible. Therefore it is necessary to examine the facts as follows.
It is not in contention that:
1. Boki local government area has two state constituencies: BOKI ONE and BOKI TWO and six traditional clans namely Abo, Boje, Eastern Boki, Irruan, Osokom 1 and Osokom 2.
2. That zoning of chairmanship of Boki local government area rotates among these six traditional blocks.
3. That Once it is the turn of a bloc, the ward or wards within that clan which have not produced (are) is identified and the position given to (them) her. Electoral wards have never been used as the basis for zoning of Chairmanship, and when they are used at all, they have to agree with the clan basis, ipso facto, to prevent one clan, like Eastern Boki for instance, from taking three times before Abo or Boje with one ward will take.
4. Boki people have NEVER used another office as a yardstick to zone the chairmanship slot. Let nobody mislead the leadership of political parties otherwise.
Agitators for the position of chairmanship have elevated appointments of Vice-chairmen, members of House of Assembly and commissioners into the same cadre of substantive Chairmanship, just to confuse the public and further their selfish agenda.
As leaders who have served Boki as Honourable councillors, we will not sit idly by and allow these detractors to mislead the government , political parties and innocent members of the public with regard to which zone should produce the next Chairman of Boki local government council.
FACTS YOU CANNOT WISH AWAY
1. The Chairmanship of Boki alternates between Boki 1 and Boki 2 and run along the old six clans( blocs).The chairmanship has just left Boki 2 and is now for Boki 1.
2..In Boki 1. Eastern Boki clan produced Chief Bartholomew Okurishi from Alanku ward who served between 1991-1993.
3. In Boki 1, Abo clan and ward produced Barrister A. B. Tase, as Chairman under Zero party – 1996 – 1997
4. Boje clan and ward – produced Hon (Ambassador) Soni O. Abang between 1999 – 2002.
5. Mrs Bessie Bankong Obi from Eastern Boki clan – 2007- 2010.
6.Hon. Abubakar Ewa from Eastern Boki clan ( Buentsebe ward ) took the 3rd Eastern Boki slot between 2013/2016
The position has returned to Boki 1 and it is only natural that Abo clan and ward, which last took its turn as far back as 1996 take now. Those who coral all these appointive and elective positions into the conversation aim to mislead the innocent ones. The argument is simple and straight forward. It is about the substantive chairmanship of Boki, and nothing else.
We call on all men of good conscience to rise and defend the truth to protect equity, justice and fairness. Not forgetting that we are all brothers and sisters from the same stock and our shared destiny is bound together in peace, in progress and in love. Let us also not forget that this is not a war but a well thought out strategy used by our forebears to douse tension and promote unity among all of us as children of one family
The Boki Councillors Forum make bold to state very clearly that the next Boki local government chairmanship belongs to Abo ward in Abo clan in fair regard to equity, justice and fairness. So help us God.
God bless you all.
Signed
Hon Joe Obi Bisong
Forum Chairman
Hon Amos Otu
Forum secretary
Hon Jacob Etta Ojie
Osokom 1 Coordinator
Hon George Ajangson
Osokom 2 Coordinator
Hon Ferdinand Ncha
Irruan Coordinator
Hon Michael Leku Ayuk
Abo Coordinator
Hon Harrison Odudu
Eastern Boki Coordinator
