Leaders, elders, women, youths, and stakeholders from the Creek Communities in Wards 4 and 5 of Ekeremor Constituency I in Bayelsa State have reaffirmed their support for rotational representation in the constituency and endorsed Barrister Tari-ere Gita of Ward 1 for the 2027 State House of Assembly election.
The position was contained in a resolution issued on May 11, 2026, following deliberations by representatives of the Creek Communities of Angalaweigbene, Ogbogbene, Tietiegbene, Ogboloserighagbene, Lalagbene, Adiegbe, Kunu Bolou-Adagbabiri, and Ogbosuware in Oyiakiri III and IV.
In the resolution, the stakeholders reaffirmed the 2018 Latik Accord, describing it as the agreed framework for rotational representation of the Ekeremor Constituency I Assembly seat. They said the accord was established to promote peace, fairness, inclusivity, and political balance among the communities within the constituency.
The group acknowledged the political contributions of leaders from Aleibiri since 1999, noting that the constituency had benefited from the representation of figures such as Rt. Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi, Hon. Aaron Alokpa, Hon. Agatha Goma, Hon. Ball Oyarede, and Hon. Tare Porri.
According to the resolution, the recognition of Aleibiri’s political role does not conflict with the current demand for power rotation. The stakeholders stated that by 2027, Aleibiri would have occupied the Assembly seat for 28 consecutive years, making it necessary for other parts of the constituency to also have an opportunity to produce representatives.
The Creek Communities maintained that in line with the 2018 Latik Accord, the next rotation should begin with Ward 1, which comprises the Tarakiri communities of Isampou and Ayamasa, before subsequently moving to the creek wards.
They argued that the arrangement would ensure no ward in the constituency is permanently excluded from political representation.
The stakeholders also addressed reports suggesting that the Assembly seat should either remain in Aleibiri or be moved directly to the Creek Communities in the next election cycle. They described such suggestions as inconsistent with the rotational principles agreed upon in 2018.
According to the resolution, any attempt to use the rotational framework as a negotiation tool to sustain incumbency or political dominance would not receive their support.
The group further appealed to aspirants from the Creek Communities seeking to contest the 2027 Assembly election to step down their ambitions in support of the zoning arrangement. They said the appeal was intended to preserve unity and protect the long-term political interests of all communities within the constituency.
The stakeholders stressed that political leadership should not be determined solely by population size or voting strength. They cited examples of prominent political figures from Bayelsa State, including former Governor Melford Okilo, former President Goodluck Jonathan, Senator Seriake Dickson, and Governor Douye Diri, whose emergence they said reflected consensus, fairness, and collective political agreement rather than mere numerical advantage.
They also argued that if numerical strength alone determined political positions, some constituencies in the local government area would not have secured certain government appointments and offices over the years.
The resolution emphasized that rotational representation remains one of the core principles of democratic inclusion and political stability.
The Creek Communities also rejected claims that Wards 4 and 5 intended to align politically with Aleibiri for the sole purpose of advancing Aleibiri’s interests. They described such claims as divisive narratives aimed at creating disunity within Ekeremor Constituency I.
According to the stakeholders, the claims misrepresented their position and undermined the collective understanding reached through the Latik Accord.
As part of the resolution, the group outlined what it described as an agreed rotational progression for the Assembly seat. Under the arrangement, the seat would rotate to Ward 1 beginning from the 2027 election cycle, followed by Wards 4 and 5 representing the Creek Communities, before eventually returning to Aleibiri.
The stakeholders said the framework reflects the reality of Aleibiri’s 28 years of continuous representation while also providing a predictable and inclusive political structure for all communities within the constituency.
In line with the arrangement, the Creek Communities formally endorsed Barrister Tari-ere Gita of Ward 1 as their preferred candidate for the 2027 Ekeremor Constituency I State House of Assembly election.
