Reads statement.......
As the lingering marginalization, deprivation and injustice of the Ijaw people continues in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State by past and current Leadership of the council as it regards Federal, State, LGA and agencies appointments as well as situation of social and infrastructural amenities, Ijaw Leaders of Egbema Kingdom in Warri North under the aegis of Egbema Collective Political Front (ECPF) as bitterly frowned and expressed total displeasure over the uneven development going on in the council area.
According to the Leader of the group Hon Kenneth Odibo popularly known as Community, stated that “ Egbema people are constantly being treated as infidels in a local government we shared with the Itsekiris, since the creation of the council ijaws have produced just one Local Government chairman and six months commissioner slot space during Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan’s tenure while they (Itsekiris) have produced over ten Chairmen both as caretaker, Ijaws haven’t occupied the House of Assembly position, nor appointed as commissioners in the state Executive Council, House of Representatives etc despite our contribution to the social, economic and political wellbeing of the state and Nation at large.”
Hon Odibo further points out several infrastructural projects littered across various Itsekiri communities executed by the incumbent Council Chairman Hon Fesus Ashima without a single one sited in Egbema Kingdom. Some of the projects are
A Block of 2-Bedroom flats with Solar Power built in Oboghoro (Itsekiri community) This isn't one block but six completed and commissioned within 5 months in office.
The Koko market built by the LGA chairman.
Reconstruction of the Chairman's Lodge.
Construction of the Legislative arm.
Construction of the Health Center and nurses quarter in Eghoro Itsekiri Community and also that of Koko currently going on.
canalization of Koko already completed and the back to school program that took place, all Itsekiri Communities.
This is a broad daylight deprivation and marginalization that will not be tolerated in any way. The Ijaw are peace loving at any point in time doesn’t justify this ill treatment.
Egbema Collective Political Front( ECPF) also frowned at the speculations going round that Hon Fred Martins, the current Member representing Warri North at the Delta State House of Assembly is warming up to go for third tenure should be discarded in its entirety for such insinuation will not see the light of the day for it is the turn of Egbema Ijaws to occupy the position come 2027.”
He reiterated that violence is not the best modalities as such political Leaders in the State and Warri North should implore diplomacy, thereby peacefully plead with the Itsekiris to stay clear. It is no longer a news on how Egbema is totally left out in the political space of all the three tiers of Government. Therefore the aforementioned forum is calling on the State Governor Rt Hon Sheriff Francis Oborevwori and all other well meaning Leaders to stand and speak against the lingering oppression in Warri North Local Government Council, for peace is priceless.
“We therefore plead with our Itsekiri neighbors to allow Ijaws assume the State House of Assembly seat come 2027, let our brotherly love in the council continue, we bitterly frowned at any further attempt to enslave and oppress us,” he added.
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