Ahead of the resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland, a political management consultant, Joe Korka-Waadah, has urged the Federal Government to ensure equitable distribution of appointments among the four Ogoni local government areas (Khana, Gokana, Tai, and Eleme) in Rivers State.
Korka-Waadah, an indigene of Ogoni and Executive Director of the Compassionate Heart Foundation of Canada, acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s inclusion of some Ogoni indigenes in strategic federal positions.
He however, expressed concern that most appointments have been disproportionately allocated to Gokana LGA, leaving the other three local governments without representation.
Speaking with journalists in Port Harcourt on Thursday Korka-Waadah said, “We are witnessing something unprecedented.
”Ogoni has four LGAs, yet recent federal appointments meant for Ogoni indigenes are concentrated in Gokana. Khana, Tai, and Eleme have nothing.
”While all appointees are qualified, fairness and equity demand that the other LGAs also benefit.”
He further alleged that a prominent state politician influenced the appointment process by nominating close associates for key positions, undermining the principle of inclusive representation.
Nevertheless, Korka-Waadah clarified that he was not questioning the competence of appointees such as Senator Magnus Abe, Professor Innocent Bariko, Kenneth Kobani, and Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, but stressed the need for a balanced approach.
“The federal government may not even be aware of this imbalance,” he added.
“Appointments are being presented as if evenly distributed, yet Gokana dominates the allocation.
”This cannot happen in a democracy, especially in the context of petroleum exploration in Ogoniland.”
On the broader issue of justice for the Ogoni people, Korka-Waadah called for the total exoneration of environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight others who were executed in the 1990s.
He described the executions as unjust and unacceptable, urging the government to act beyond mere pardons to fully clear the names of those wrongfully killed.
He also stressed that the resumption of oil exploration should be accompanied by the implementation of the Ogoni Bill of Rights, describing it as a key condition for the region’s sustainable development and reconciliation.
“The people are not against federal involvement or oil exploration.
“But they demand that the federal government first exonerate Ken Saro-Wiwa, the nine others, and all Ogonis who were brutally killed, and then fully implement the Ogoni Bill of Rights, ” he said.
Korka-Waadah’s statements underscore rising tensions and expectations as oil activities resume in Ogoniland, highlighting the need for inclusive governance, historical justice, and equitable economic benefits for all communities in the region.
