By Sunday Apah
The people of Ndokwa ethnic nationality in Delta state on Friday stated that they have cultural, language and political affinities with the people of Delta Central Senatorial District.
President General of Ndokwa Neku Union (NNU) General Mike Ndubisi (rtd), made this known on behalf of the Ndokwa nation when leaders and members of Delta Central 2023 lobby group paid them consultation visit at Ezhionum community, in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State.
Ndubisi stated further that they listened to the presentation of DC-23 with full attention because what they were told by the Delta Central lobby group was apt and suitable for the present situation.
According to him, “the message is alien to some persons that are with me here because they heard it for the first time, and we are indeed very grateful.
“As you can see, the Ndokwa nation is ever ready for any situation, but I must say that there are so many affinities between the Urhobo and Ndokwa people in terms of culture, language, politics and everything.
“But unfortunately, we don’t have all our men here. The major stakeholders in politics are not here. We will go back and meet with key stakeholders of Ndokwa nation and articulate our own position and come back to you in a very big way”, he added.
Earlier, National Chairman of Delta Central 2023, Chief Senator Ighoyota Amori in his speech, confirmed that the Ndokwa ethnic nationality have a lot of affinities with the people of Delta Central as it relates to marriage, language, politics, culture and otherwise.
He explained that DC-23 is a lobby group made up of card carrying members of the PDP in Delta Central Senatorial District with aim to lobby for the governorship seat to rotate to the Central come 2023.
He noted that the DC-23 is not different from G-3 of Delta South Senatorial District that was formed to drive the process of election of immediate past governor of Delta state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and Anioma Agenda that was formed in 2014 to propel the process of election of the current governor of the state, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa.
According to him, “those who want to contest against aspirants of Delta Central Senatorial District have their argument for the governorship seat likewise us but we can’t talk of zoning on ethnic lines because the state is made up of various ethnic groups like Urhobo, Ijaw, Itsekiri, Isoko, Ika, Ndokwa, Oshimili, Aniocha and few others, hence the appeal for us to maintain the zoning arrangement on senatorial districts order”.
“We want to establish a sustainable system where when it gets to the turn of your senatorial district, no one from other senatorial districts will contest against the benefitting district. So the argument that Urhobo or other ethnic groups contested during the turn of other senatorial districts will no longer be there”, he added.
He appealed to the political class of the Itsekiri nation for support for DC-23 push for zoning arrangement on senatorial order to enable the PDP rule beyond 2023.
Top among leaders and members of DC-23 that went for the visit include Chief Ighoyota Amori, National Chairman, Dr. Chris Oharisi, National Secretary, Olorogun Arthur Akpowowo, National Publicity Secretary, Olorogun Andrew Orugbo, National Legal Adviser, Chief Anthony Akpomiemie Esq., National Auditor, Hon. Godwin Atose, National Organizing Secretary, Comrade Austin Opubor, National Welfare Officer, Chief Sunday Apah, Assistant National Publicity Secretary, Chief Christian Onogba, Assistant National Organizing Secretary, Hon. Festus Pemu, Assistant National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Steven Akemu, National Youth Leader, Deacon Raymond Edijala, Assistant National Treasurer, Mrs. Philomena Ededey, Assistant National Welfare Officer, Chief George Osikorobia, Assistant National Auditor and Dr. Amos Ighorodje, Assistant National Secretary.
Others are Williams Etubiebi Esq., Chairman BoT, Chief Bernard Edewor, Deputy Chairman, BoT, Chief Ejaife Odebala, Former House of Assembly member, Chief Mrs. Philomena Oyearone, Chief Andy Osawota, Chief Pius Ovbije, Chief Idris Oyibo, Chief Duncan Ewhere, Chief Dr. Isaac Akpoveta, Chief Abraham Odjighoro, Mr. Benjamin Ogbimi, Engr. Eric Osiobe, Mr. Emmanuel Francis Ishaka, Hon. Onoriode Ishegbe, Rt. Hon. Kenneth Fovie, Mr. James Okoh, Chief London Akpanoko, Christopher Ophori, Sir. Godfrey Etabuko, Mr. Anthony Omonigho, Chief Bestman Itive, Francis Obire, Prince Robinson Samuel, Monday Omonode, Oghenevwero Esi, Chief Samuel Okoro, Evang. Ejimitowovwon Emmanuel, Okakuro Collins Eboh, Chief Moses Orhokpor, Representatives of Olorogun Kenneth Okpara, Representatives of Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, Representatives Chief James Augoye and a host of others.
Those that represented the Ndokwa nation include Chief Mike Ndubisi, President General, Ndokwa National Union, Chief Fidelis Ogude, 1st Vice President General, Prof. Julie Umukoro, Woman Leader, Engr. Eugene Agadaga, PRO, Comrade Ifeanyi Odachi, Youth Leader, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ojieh, Secretary General, Chief Dele Omenegor, Chief V. O. T Abanum, Major Babs Agali (rtd), Engr. Meshack Ochonogor, Chief Williams Achinike, Chief Melson Nmor, Chief Ebigide, Rear Admiral Olisemenogor Dickson (rtd), Hon. Vero Egbune, Vice Chairman Ukwuani Local Government Council, Hon. Mrs. Felicia Okolo, Ogbuefi Eric Anigaa, Chief Nnamdi Chukwujekwe, Secretary to ANCA President, Chief Igwe Nzekwe, Hon. Austin Orji, Chief Abel Ema-Ijesele, Pa Efe, Chief Timothy Umukoro, Mr. Chuks Karl Dafe, Otefe Group led by Mrs. Vero Chukwuemeka, Ndokwa Rise led by Ada Charity Otu Ofu Obi led by Bose Azubuike, Conrade Mukolo Solomon, SUG President, Delsu, Executives and members of Federated Union of Ndokwa Students, NNU Women Wing and many others too numerous to mention.