By DEBORAH COKER

Elders, leaders and opinion moulders in Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency have adopted a former Delta House of Assembly Speaker, Basil Ganagana, as their consensus candidate for the constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The decision was contained in a communiqué issued after a meeting of the stakeholders in Bomadi on Wednesday, a copy of which of which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

The stakeholders also endorsed President Bola Tinubu and Delta Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, for second terms.

NAN reports that the communique was signed by Retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Tuesday Assayamor and Dr Tonye Timi of the South South Development Commission, among others, from the two local government areas that make up the federal constituency.

The communiqué said that the decision followed extensive consultations on the constituency’s political future, unity and democratic progress, ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Stakeholders at the meeting included elders, youth and women representatives and community leaders from Bomadi and Patani.

“The meeting was convened to review representation and chart a path based on fairness, equity and inclusive participation.

“The meeting acknowledged Nicholas Mutu’s long service as the constituency’s representative since 1999.

“It resolved that, for fairness and democratic balance, Mutu should not seek an eighth consecutive term in 2027,” it stated.

The communiqué stressed that a peaceful transition was needed to create opportunities for new voices and leadership renewal within the constituency.

“The 2027 House of Representatives seat should go to Patani LGA which hasn’t held it since 1999.

“After consideration, the meeting unanimously adopted Basil Ganagana, a former Speaker of Delta Assembly, as the sole consensus candidate for the 2027 election,” the communique said.

The stakeholders expressed confidence in Ganagana’s leadership capacity, experience and commitment to the constituency’s development.

They said that to promote stability, future representation should rotate between Bomadi and Patani council areas, with a maximum of two terms (eight years).

The stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful, lawful political engagement and constructive dialogue.

“All advocacy within the constituency must remain peaceful and consistent with democratic principles,” the declared.

The meeting called on political parties to ensure a transparent, credible candidate selection process for the 2027 elections.

It also appealed to the Delta government and leaders to support calls for fairness and leadership renewal.

According to the communique, a joint elders and stakeholders’ committee comprising representatives from both local government areas will be established.

This, it said , was with a view to continuing consultations, promoting peaceful engagement, monitoring political developments and ensuring adherence to the principles of fairness, unity and rotational understanding agreed upon by the constituency.

According to the stakeholders, democracy grows stronger when leadership opportunities are expanded, political participation inclusive and all segments of a society given a fair sense of belonging.

They expressed the confidence that if fairness, equity, peaceful dialogue and democratic principles were upheld, the federal constituency would emerge stronger, more united and more politically stable, ahead of the 2027 general elections. (NAN)

Update news