A PRESS STATEMENT BY CONCERNED CITIZENS OF OKOROMA KINGDOM CONCERNING THE POSITION/ GRIEVANCES OF OKOROMA CONSULTATIVE FORUM ON THE NEMBE CONSTITUENCY 1 ASSEMBLY.

It has come to the notice of the Concerned Citizens of Okoroma Kingdom that some mischief-makers are using the name of the Kingdom to unduly get political sympathy by alleging political marginalization of the Kingdom by Nembe People.

We want to state unequivocally that such claim is not only unfounded but spurious, misleading and does not represent the views and interest of the Okoroma people. Therefore, the purveyors of such claims should not be taken seriously, because its sole intent is to give the Nembe people a very bad image politically and cause political friction between the two sister Kingdoms in the future.

It is on record that many political positions were conceded to the Okoroma axis in Nembe Constituency 1 without an iota of contention from the Nembe axis which add credence to the falsity of the purported political marginalization of the Kingdom by the Nembe People.
Prominent and noteworthy among them are:

The Vice Chairmanship position of Nembe LGA was occupied by the person of Hon Kenneth Jonah from 2010 – 2013.
In 2013 the Okoroma axis occupied the position of the Executive Chairman, when the position was generously conceded to Okoroma by the Nembe stakeholders through the then Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd). On that account, Hon. Bioghoemi Eminah became the elected Chairman.

In 2013 the Okoroma axis occupied the position of the Executive Chairman, when the position was generously conceded to Okoroma by the Nembe stakeholders through the then Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd). On that account, Hon. Bioghoemi Eminah became the elected Chairman.

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Central Zone Chairmanship position was also zoned to Nembe and the stakeholders of Nembe LGA in their wisdom decided to concede it to Okoroma, leading to the emergence of Comrade Clever Inodu as Chairman.
The position of the Leader of Nembe Local Government Legislative Assembly was equally zoned to Okoroma, hence the emergence of Hon. Ambrose Abanda who is still the holder of the office/position.

It is worthy to mention that many Okoroma sons and daughters are still holding sundry political positions at the state and Local Government levels and are more privileged compared to other catchment areas. Based on the forgoing, it will be very unfair and inhumane to aver that the Okoroma people are suffering from political marginalization.

Below is a summary of persons in the Okoroma Kingdom who are currently occupying various political positions.
Hon. George Sibi Oru-Governor’s Special Representative, Nembe Local Government Area
Hon. Kuroghoekigha Mattias N. – Technical Adviser on NDDC Matters
Hon. Bioghoemi Eminah B. –Commissioner Assembly Commission
Pastor Sambo Sataria, Member Project Monitoring Board
Hon. George Sibi Matthew – Director, Centre for Youth Development Nembe Constituency 1
Hon. Owei Bomo – S.A on Special Duties
Hon. Diepreye Gas – S.A on Special Duties
Hon. Peresou Dongosai – Member BHIS
Hon. Obani Godwin – S.A on Special Duties
Hon. Dennis Noble – S.A. on Special Duties
Hon. Ebikienmo Emina – S.A. on Special Duties
Hon. Olaye Daufa Ekperi – S.A. on Special Duties
Moneyman S. Ikirigo – PDP Youth Leader, Bayelsa East
Senatorial District
And several others

Currently, many Okoroma people are aspiring for the Nembe/ Brass Federal Constituency Seat and Nembe Constituency 1 Seat in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly. The same Okoroma people are also aspiring to be Nembe Local Government Council Chairman. We want to state that all the aspirants from Okoroma are doing this based on their personal interests.

Furthermore, concerning the claim of the Okoroma consultative forum of being marginalized politically, at the same time appealing to be given the Nembe Constituency 1 Seat is ridiculous, and a step taking in the wrong direction, because the way to go is consistent engagement of critical stakeholders in the constituency and not by staging protest and radio announcements.

For the purpose of clarity, political stakeholders in Nembe Constituency 1 have not made a unanimous decision at any point in time on a zoning arrangement in favour of Okoroma as such eligible persons from the Constituency are eminently qualified to Contest for any political office/ position.

Finally, we are using this medium to call on all well-meaning sons and daughters of Okoroma Kingdom to prevail on the Okoroma Consultative Forum to desist from misinforming the public and pulling the highly respected Traditional Institution in Okoroma Kingdom into the monkey water of politics for the sake of peace and harmonious relationship between the two sister kingdoms.