By Sunday Apah
The Ijaws in Delta State under the aegis of Ijaw Mandate Group have stated strongly that the Ijaw agitation for the position of governor of the state in 2023 was not feasible because of wrong timing and running against the policy of power rotation of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) among the three senatorial districts in the state.
The leadership of the group stated this during a visit to Delta Central 2023 (DC-23) lobby group at Mosogar in Ethiope West Local Government Area of the state.
It pointed out that by the order of precedence of the senatorial rotation, 2023 was unarguably the turn of the Delta Central Senatorial District.
The group in a paper read by its Coordinator, Dagidi Andaye, noted that the action of those clamouring for an Ijaw governor in 2023 amounted to scuttling and frustrating the proper Ijaw Agenda come 2031, stressing that then would be the rightful turn and time for Delta South Senatorial District to produce the state governor.
The group revealed that its decision to endorse Delta Central Senatorial District for the 2023 governorship was reached after due consultation with the President of Ijaw National Congress (INC), Prof. Benjamin Okaba, the Delta Ijaw Elders, traditional rulers and other major stakeholders.
Andaye said that “the Ijaw Agenda for Governor should be subsumed under senatorial power rotation order, formulated by the PDP, which is the surest way to actualising it, and in doing that, the space-time and the apparent realities of the PDP should be critically considered and adhered to.”
Continuing, he stated that “the present frontrunners for the agitation to become Governor, come 2023, are all unmistakably, truly Ijaw sons and eminently qualified in all ramifications to contest and be Governor of Delta State. But it is amazing and shocking to reveal that these sons of Ijaw, gladiators to be Governor come 2023 are sincerely privy and are witnesses to the rotational arrangement on ground and are beneficiaries of the PDP policy.”
“In 2015, these were the same persons who advised another Ijaw son against contesting in the PDP Governorship primaries; reasoning that it was not yet time for Delta South Senatorial District, where all Ijaws belong,and they ensured all Ijaw delegates totally withdrew their support from and voted against their brother, a bona-fide son of Ijaw land,” he added.
“If they are sincere to themselves and the Ijaw people in Delta State, they will agree that 2023 is still not yet time and turn of Delta South Senatorial District and Ijaws who are subsumed under Delta South Senatorial District to contest for Governor, as it was the case in 2015,” he opined.
According to him, “the IMG is of the well informed opinion that the status quo, as established by the PDP suffices, and must be maintained to sustain the enduring political climate in the state. Therefore, the 2023 Governorship should be the reserve of Delta Central Senatorial District.”
In his response, National Chairman of Delta Central 2023 lobby group, Senator Chief Ighoyota Amori, stated that what the DC-23 was doing is to set the pace, adding that its agitation for the Delta Senatorial District was real.
Amori explained that to support an Ijaw man for Governor in 2023 would not be a problem, but that it was not yet the turn of Delta South Senatorial District.
According to him, “when it is your turn, it will be easy to get it. Urhobo have tried it before now, but we didn’t get it. It will be cheaper for them to join us to succeed now because it is only those that joined us to succeed that we will also join to succeed when the time comes.
“We can assure you that because you have invested in our 2023 Governorship, we shall be partner in investing in you from 2023 to 2031,” he added.
Top among leaders of the Ijaw Mandate Group that went for the visit included Dagidi Andaye, Coordinator, Chris Anthony, Secretary, Famous Ofurobiri, Publicity Secretary, HRH Okosumakide Yanki, Chief Lucky Loyibo, Hon. Chief Fungeowei Azami, Jimmy Eyebiabor, Frank Ogodobiri, Chief Anthony Enangor, Buff Omoun, Ebi Okaba, Timi Akwasa and Dr. Ebi Bunu, among others.
Leaders and members of the DC-23 on ground to receive the IMG members included Senator (Chief) Ighoyota Amori, National Chairman, Olorogun Bernard Edewor, Deputy Chairman, Dr. Chris Oharisi, National Secretary, Olorogun Arthur Akpowowo, National Publicity Secretary; Okakuro Isaacs Itebu, National Treasurer, Hon. Godwin Atose, National Organising Secretary, Hon. (Chief) Sunday Apah, Assistant National Publicity Secretary; Deacon Raymond Edijala, Assistant National Treasurer, Chief Christian Onogba, National Assistant Organizing Secretary, Chief Anthony Akpomiemie, National Auditor, Mrs. Faith Majemite, National Women Leader, Mr. Austin Opubor, National Welfare Officer and Princess Philo Ededey, Assistant National Welfare Officer.
Others were Hon. Chief Ejaife Odebala, former member of the Delta State House of Assembly; Chief Isaac Akpoveta, Engr. Eric Osiobe, Hon. Onoriode Ishegbe, Mr. Godfrey Etabuko, Chief Solomon Oturu, Chief Collins Eboh, Chief Hope Erute, Mr. Benjamin Ogbimi, Chief Lucky Emojeya, Chief Abraham Ojighoro, Chief Efeturhi Juweto, Ms. Ese Omamogho, Prince Samuel Robinson, Dr. Mrs. Augustina Erah, Prince Charles Abutor, Chief Duncan Eghwere, Chief James Omeru, Chief Vincent Okporua, Chief Japhet Adoye, Chief Ejiro Enatsemi, Chief Bernard Abinoko, Mr. John Omene, Mr. Samuel Ajamue, Mr. Solomon Obareki, Chairman, PDP, Ethiope West LGA, Chief London Akpanoko, Monday Omonode, Enor Edekpo, Victor Orovwighose, Sunday Amori, SLG, Ethiope West LGA, Hon. Ejiro Wilson Eghrudje, Mr. Anthony Atima, Ejimitovwovwon Emmanuel, representatives of Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, representatives of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, representatives of Olorogun Kenneth Okpara, representatives of Olorogun David Edevbie, representatives of Chief James Augoye and a host of others.