Abraka Constituency: Adopt Rotation, Maintain Peace, Chief Harrison Jessa Urges Stakeholders

ABRAKA — Prominent community leader, Chief Harrison Jessa, has called on political leaders and stakeholders in Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, to embrace unity and adopt a rotational arrangement for the newly restored Abraka State Constituency to ensure fairness, inclusiveness and lasting peace.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Oasis Magazine, Chief Jessa expressed delight over the restoration of the constituency by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing it as a historic milestone that would finally give Abraka a stronger voice in the governance of Delta State.

“I am so happy, very, very happy that at least Abraka is now going to have a say in the government of Delta State. Before now, we didn’t have that opportunity, but today we have every reason to celebrate,” he said.

According to him, the restoration marks the successful outcome of a struggle that the people of Abraka had pursued for many years, urging residents not to allow the achievement to become a source of division.

Chief Jessa noted that Abraka comprises two kingdoms—Oruarivie and Umiaghwa—and three political wards, stressing that leaders from both kingdoms should meet and agree on a formula that guarantees equitable representation.

“I will prefer that we sit together as a family and position this thing. Let the three wards benefit in equal share because I believe in equal sharing. That will bring peace,” he stated.

He proposed that the House of Assembly seat should rotate among Wards 1, 2 and 3, with each ward producing a representative for an agreed period of one or two tenures before the position moves to another ward.

ALSO READ: Xenophobia And The Abandonment Of Foreign Policy…

The community leader further argued that when it is the turn of a particular ward, all political parties should field candidates only from that ward to avoid unnecessary rivalry and preserve the spirit of the rotational understanding.

According to him, leaders across the community should agree on the arrangement before party politics takes centre stage, insisting that consensus and understanding would strengthen Abraka’s unity and political influence.

Chief Jessa disclosed that he has no personal ambition to contest for the House of Assembly seat, saying his priority is to see the community remain united and peaceful.

“I don’t want to sell myself. Let the leaders meet, agree, and endorse whoever should go. My interest is peace for all of us,” he said.

He also expressed optimism that Abraka would one day realise its long-standing aspiration of becoming a separate local government area.

“By God’s grace, I believe the time will still come when we will have our own local government because that has been on the agenda for many years,” he added.

Appealing to residents to remain calm, Chief Jessa said the restoration of the constituency should be seen as a victory for the entire Abraka community.

“What we have been fighting for has come to us. There is no need to fight ourselves. Let there be understanding among the three wards. Let the best person emerge, and let peace remain our priority,” he said.

While declining to comment on speculations regarding the inclusion of neighbouring Eku in the constituency arrangement, Chief Jessa noted that Eku already has established political representation, including producing the current Deputy Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, and stressed that Abraka should remain focused on building internal unity.

The restoration of the Abraka State Constituency has continued to generate widespread excitement among residents and political stakeholders, who see the development as a major step toward restoring the community’s political voice and accelerating development in the area.