SEVERAL former Niger Delta militants have been elected as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly during last week's elections raising fears that debates in the legislature could be stormy and rancorous.
Based on the result of last Saturday’s election released by the Rivers State returning officer Professor Faraday Orumwense, the ex-militants are among the 25 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), members who were elected. Across the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC) was only able to win a seat in the 32-members state legislature.
Due to widespread irregularities and violence, Professor Orumwense declared elections in six state constituencies inconclusive, however. Among those who will be making laws for the oil-rich state are Farah Dagogo, an ex-general of a dreaded militant group.
Mr Dagogo, an indigene of Tombia community was sponsored to run by the Degema Political Front, a frontline political group and he will be representing Degema Constituency in the assembly. Adoki Tonye Smart, who will be representing Port Harcourt II Constituency in the new assembly was also a former field commander and second in command to the late Soboma George.
Mr George was a dreaded militant leader who was shot by a rival gang in the Old Port Harcourt Township, months after he accepted the government’s amnesty. Chisom Promise Dike, who won the Oyigbo State Constituency seat in the assembly, is a strong ally of Ateke Tom, a self-styled general of the erstwhile Niger Delta Vigilante Forces.
Mr Tom, now referred to as The Godfather, has become an institution of sorts in Ijaw politics and has strong influence in Okrika land. He even contested the PDP gubernatorial primary elections in the state but was defeated by the new governor-elect Nyesom Wike.
Kelechi Nwogu, who will be returning to the assembly to represent Omuma Constituency, is also said to have strong links with some of the ex-fighters in the region. Evans Bipi, the factional speaker of the seventh Assembly, who was chased out of the chamber while attempting to impeach Governor Rotimi Amaechi, with five other lawmakers, will be returning to the house to represent the Ogu/Bolo State Constituency.
Other PDP member in the new assembly include Marshal Stanley-Udom who will be representing Abua/Odual; Okpokiri Okpokiri, representing Ahoada West; Jack Major, representing Akuku Toru 1; Tonye Alalibo, representing Akuku Toru11; and Ikuinyi Ibani, representing Andoni. Others are Granville Wellington from Asari-Toru 1; Enemi George from Asari-Toru 11, Abinye Pepple from Bonny; Ngbulelo Israel from Gokana; Oguguo Anslem from Ikwere; Deeyah Bariene, Khana 1; Dinebari Loolo from Khana 11 and Amaewhule Chike from Obio/Akpor 1.
Also elected on the PDP platform are Michael Chinda from Obio/Akpor 11; Christian Ahiakwo from Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni 1; Uwaji Nathaniel from Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni 11; Dabotorudima Adams from Okrika; Ogbonda Nwene, Port Harcourt 1; Ihunwo Nyeche, Port Harcourt 11 and Ngbar Amulele from Tai. The only APC candidate declared a winner of the assembly poll is Josiah Olu, from Eleme Constituency.
Elections to Ahoada East 1, Ahoada East 11, Emuoha, Etche 1, Etche 11 and Opobo/Nkoro were declared inconclusive. Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission is yet to fix dates for the conduct of fresh elections in the affected areas.
In 2009, President Umaru Yar'Adua's amnesty programme saw militant commanders, including Government Ekpemukpolo alias Tompolo, Sogboma George, Ateke Tom, Farah Dagogo, Ebikabowei Ben alias Boyloaf, Kile Selky Torughedie, alias the Young Shall Grow, surrendering their arms and returning to normal life outside the creeks. Under the deal an unconditional pardon and cash payments were offered to fighters who surrendered their arms and assembled at screening centres within 60 days.
