By Sunday Apah
Leaders and stakeholders of Isoko ethnic nationality have stated that the Urhobo people are doing well by coming together as a force to demand for what they think is legitimately theirs.
High Chief Eta Enahoro, Traditional Prime Minister of Oyede Kingdom and Prof. Christopher Akpotu, President General of Isoko Development Union who spoke in same vein during the Consultative visit of DC-23 to Isoko nation, posited that its only those who invest in the incoming government that will become relevant.
According to them, “we are impressed with your presentation of pleading with us for support. Our house is not presently in order but with the help of our traditional rulers, the good people of Isoko and clerics, we will see how we can bring our people together, especially the political class as quickly as possible.
“It is after we are united that we can come to you to tell you our position. So we plead with you to give us sometime to make those who presently don’t reason in our direction to have cause to change their mind.
“If we have more groups like DC-23 of Urhobo people, the state will be better for us. With the way the Urhobos are moving, whoever becomes the governor has to be very careful because he knows that he could be resisted by the people if the need be”, he added.
He advised those disassociating themselves from their ethnic group for fear of losing political or elective positions to stop as Governor Ifeanyi Okowa will not be angry with them for associating with their people.
They urged the Urhobo people to treat the Isoko people as critical partner whenever they divinely gets the governor, and they on their part will also treat Urhobo as critical partner in the future if they get a higher position.
Earlier, National Chairman of Delta Central 2023, Senator (Chief) Ighoyota Amori in his speech, stated 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 line”.
“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 leaders and stakeholders of the Isoko nation for support for DC-23 push for zoning arrangement on senatorial districts line 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, Hon. Solomon Ighrakpata, Deputy National Chairman, Hon. Reuben Izeze, 1st National Vice Chairman, Chief Suru Salami, 2nd National Vice Chairman, Dr. Chris Oharisi, National Secretary, Olorogun Arthur Akpowowo, National Publicity Secretary, Olorogun Andrew Orugbo, National Legal Adviser, Chief Isaacs Itebu, National Treasurer, Chief Anthony Akpomiemie Esq., National Auditor, Olorogun Sunday Apah, Assistant National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Matthew Tsekiri, National Assistant Secretary, Godwin Atose, National Organizing Secretary, Chief Christian Onogba, Assistant National Organizing Secretary, Deacon Raymond Edijala, Assistant National Treasurer, Mrs. Philomena Ededey, Assistant National Welfare Officer, Chief George Osikorobia, Assistant National Auditor, Dr. Amos Ighorodje, Assistant National Secretary, Hon. Best Okoromadu, Assistant National Women Leader, Hon. Elohor Urhobe, Assistant National Women Leader.
Others are Rt. Hon. Lovette Idisi, Former House of Representatives member, Chief Mrs. Margret Unukegwo, Chief Ejaife Odebala, Former House of Assembly member, Chief Mrs. Philomena Oyearone, Chief Andy Osawota, Chief Duncan Ewhere, Chief Robert Onome, Mr. Benjamin Ogbimi, Engr. Eric Osiobe, Mr. Emmanuel Francis Ishaka, Hon. Onoriode Ishegbe, Olorogun Pius Omubaye, Chief London Akpanoko, Mr. Anthony Omonigho, Chief Bestman Itive, Chief Moses Orhokpor, Okakuro Collins Eboh, Chief Blessing Erhiawaren, Olorogun Edevwie Ochuko Fidelis, Chief Solomon Oturu, Hon. Maria Ememo, Hon. Wilson Agbure, Mr. Sheriff Kokome, Mr. Godfrey Etabuko, Hon. Atima, Anthony, Hon. Otubu James, Chief Lucky Emojeya, Sir. James Edirin Okoh, Chief Efe Juweto, Representatives of Olorogun Kenneth Okpara, Representatives of Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, Representatives of Chief James Augoye and a host of others.
Those that represented the Isoko nation, include High Chief Eta Enahoro, Traditional Prime Minister of Oyede Kingdom, Prof. Christopher Akpotu, President General of Isoko Development Union, Crown Prince Desmond Ogbaudu, 1st Vice President, IDU, General Alexander Ogomudia (rtd), Hon. Chief Ferguson Onwho, Prince Dennis Kola Obrogo, Barr. Mary Erijo, High Chief Major Ogbaide, Hon. Chief Obiode Goodnews, Barr. Afor Irogbo, Chief John Araka, Chief Jubilant Igelige, Chief Fred Useh, Chief Jimmy Jay Obiouwo, Hon. Pally Ighove, Chief Dan Odhomo, Chief Duncan Afahokor, Bishop Benson Eghaere, High Chief Iduh Amadhe, Patron, IDU, Justice Vincent Ofesi (rtd), Rt. Hon. Dr. Emmanuel Okoro, High Chief Ukiho, Mr. Blessing Okpowo, Engr. Michael Akpobire, Chief Mrs. Evelyn Aluta, Hon. (Chief) Apar Itesa, Barr. Vote Umukoro and others.