Adaklu-Waya, Oct. 30, GNA - Three Assembly members from the Adaklu Traditional Area who said they were not taking their seats at the Adaklu-Anyigbe District Assembly if the capital remained at Agortime-Kpetoe were introduced at a rally of Adaklu citizens at Adaklu-Waya on Monday.

They are Alex Sesi, Ablornu Electoral Area, Timothy Klu, Helekpe and Prosper Delali-Fu, Adaklu-Waya.

Elias Avor, Assembly Member for Abuadi, who had taken his seat at Agortime-Kpetoe was however absent.

Togbe Agbobada IV, Chief of Adaklu-Anfoe read a statement signed by him and three other chiefs stating that the chiefs and people of the traditional area were resolute in their decision to stay out of the Adaklu-Anyigbe District.

"Our position is clear! The decision of the chiefs and people of Adaklu to boycott the assembly as a result of the removal of the district capital from Adaklu-Waya to Agortime-Kpetoe without any explanation is in full force," he said.

Togbe Agbobada said the outcome of the September local government elections was contested on the platforms of "pro-assembly and anti-assembly candidates".

He said the three candidates who campaigned on the "platform of not joining the assembly until the matter is resolved in a sincere manner won", representing 75 per cent popular support for the boycott.

The statement however said the legitimate representatives of the Adaklu "remain committed to a peaceful resolution of the impasse and will positively respond to any genuine gestures from the appropriate quarters aimed at finding a sincere solution to the problem".

Other signatories to the statement are Togbe Agbi V, Senior Divisional Chief, Adaklu-Goefe, Togbe Tenu V, War Chief of Adaklu Abuadi and Togbe Kekeli Dzokoto, also Senior Divisional Chief, Adaklu-Ahunda. Togbe Dzokoto said the inability of government to re-designate Adaklu-Waya as the capital of the district was unfair to the people of Adaklu and asked government not to "close its eyes to the voice of the people".

Mr Delali-Fu in a remark on behalf of the two others said the ceremony was not a fluke and that the chunk of the Adaklu people would remain opposed to the district if the capital remained at Agortime-Kpetoe.

Parliament's approval of Agortime-Kpetoe as capital of the Adaklu- Anyigbe District in place of a legislative Instrument, which earlier named Adaklu-Waya as capital, triggered protests from the chiefs and people of Adaklu delaying the inauguration of the district.