ITSEKIRI INTEREST GROUP WRITES OPEN LETTER TO GOVERNOR SHERIFF OBOREVWORI AS THEY REPLY EGBEMA IJAWS
“DON’T TAKE THE BENEVOLENCE OF THE ITSEKIRI NATION FOR GRANTED”
There is a trend that the Ijaw’s have used against the Itsekiri Nation over the last couple of decades that has consistently misled the naive public to believe that the Ijaw’s are being Marginalized by the Itsekiri’s meanwhile the reverse is the case.
Since 1999 the Itsekiri’s have continued to be shortchanged in Delta South and we have been forced to keep giving in the mirage of giving peace a chance. In 1999 Hon Megbele from Warri North Local Government lost his Seat in the Delta State House of Assembly to the Cold Hands of Death and his appointment as Speaker was cut short in less than 9 Months in Office.
Hon (Chief) Kent Omatsone who replaced Hon Megbele as Speaker was fought seriously by the Ijaws who were seriously interested in the seat of the Speaker and it was no surprise that the Ijaws took the front roll to ensure the Impeachment of Hon Kent Omatsone in Less than 1 year in Office as replacement to Hon Megbele.
One would ordinarily think that the Seat of the Speaker would go to another Itsekiri man after the death of Hon Megbele and the Impeachment of Hon Kent Omatsone since both Individuals didn’t complete the first 4 years that was zoned to the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality but it was given to another Ethnic Group even though there were 2 Other Itsekiri Members representing Warri South Local Government in the House.
We won’t be slack enough to fail to point out the 20 years hostage of the Seat of the Senate by the Ijaws of Delta South who also held the position of Deputy Governor for the last 8 years of the tenure of Senator James Manager.
Only a peaceful Tribe will continue to give in Local Governments where they have majority of Wards and Delegates. During the tenure of an Itsekiri Governor Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan a man of peace and fairness, the Ijaws in Warri South West had the opportunity to clinch the seat of Local Government Chairman for the first time and in a few years Itsekiri also ensured that the Ijaws in Warri South West had another opportunity to produce a member of the House of Assembly a position that was due for Speakership in 2023 and was meant to be a compensation to the Itsekiris who have enjoyed the least tenure of leadership in the House of Assembly but like Jesus Christ of Nazareth Itsekiri Sacrificed again to the Ijaws. Most recently the Ijaw minority in Warri North were given another opportunity to hold the seat of the Local Government Chairman by the Itsekiris but we were rewarded by a low support for Itsekiri candidates in the just concluded Elections by the Egbema Ijaws.
Just as a need to remind us of our History, the Egbema Ijaws are customary tenants of the Itsekiris and this was affirmed by Court of notable jurisdiction and they never contended these facts and Itsekiri never treated them like Tenants.
Finally the Ijaws are Majority in Bomadi, Burutu and Patani but they have never given opportunity to minorities like the Urhobos of Patani to enjoy the seat of power from the office of the Local Government Chairman to the Seat of Councilor. Itsekiris have been fair so the Governor of Delta State should not let trouble makers distract his good works.
SIGNED
GBUBEMI AWALA
CHAIRMAN
ITSEKIRI INTEREST GROUP
WEYINMI YALAJU
SECRETARY
ITSEKIRI INTEREST GROUP