Following the interview granted to Gbaramatu Voice by the leadership of Egbema Advancement Movement(EAM) where they unequivocally threaten the corporate existence of the Itsekiri people living in Warri North if the Chairmanship of the council area is not zoned to them based on a purported agreement reached in 2014.The Itsekiri National Youths Council Worldwide (INYC) Comr Weyinmi Agbateyiniro wishes to correct the erroneous impression and or warn of dare consequences if the Ijaws of Egbema tries anything stupid.
First and foremost, we shall correct the erroneous narratives in the public domain to clear their doubts. In their interview they talked about marginalisation on all fronts due to the political maneuvering of the Itsekiri people. In a democratic settings, we are all at liberty to aspire for any political office but occupying such offices is based on the acceptability of the candidate to the people. Democracy allows for civilised ways of electing political leaders to run the various arms of Government, therefore, the Ijaws of Warri North are entitled to contest for any office of interest.
We must correct the erroneous claims that the Ijaws of Warri North are majority, that is a lie from the pit of hell. As at the last count of census, Itsekiris maintains a healthy majority in the 3-Warris, hence the rationale behind the electioneering successes recorded. It is well known fact that, the Ijaws do not have the population to win elections. Most of these ijaw villages were camps that were turned into communities by their renewed radicalism.
Secondly, the Itsekiri Nation is not aware of any agreement reached with the former Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan. Such purported arrangements is alien to us as a people, hence not binding on our people. We were equally aware of a plan by the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Good Ebele Jonathan to use his Federal might to arm twist the former Governor who was an Itsekiri man. However, that arrangement never saw the light of day due to the resistance of the Itsekiri Nation and the dwindling popularity of the then president. Therefore, we challenge the leadership of the Egbema Advancement Movement to produce the document where the Itsekiri Nation agreed to such kangaroo arrangements. Where on earth can a landlord pays rent to his tenants. We all know that Bayelsa State is State where Ijaws predominantly abodes but fishing activities/sea Piracy brought them into foreign territories, which upon time, started camps that graduated into communities.
Thirdly, politics they say is a game of interest, the itsekiri interest will at all times supersede on the negotiating table. There is no gain saying that the Ijaw agenda which they are acting comes first, why the outcry of political supremacy. The Itsekiri people have been known to be peace loving people, hence we have always approached issues from a civil perspective. We must state clearly that, Itsekiris have communities in other Local Govt Areas outside the 3-Warris yet we have not threatened fire and brimstone because of political offices.Could this demand by the ijaws be taken as a yardstick for the itsekiris to also violently demand to produce the chairmanship of the following LGAs? Whereas as at today by virtue of the last census figures and electoral strength,the itsekiris comparatively are minorities in Sapele, Ethiope East, uvwie ,Okpe,Udu,Ethiope West LGAs and even others outside Delta State like the ikpoba okha LGA in Edo State.
Besides, haven made those clarification, the Itsekiri National Youths Council Worldwide would ensure all eligible Itsekiris are registered and participate in the forthcoming LGA elections. We are going to take advantage of the continuous voter registration to ensure they register. We challenge them to prove their popularity and majority by the ballot.
Moreover, the call for anarchy by this group shall be met with stiff and overwhelming resistance from the gallant Itsekiri youths. As a council we shall not tolerate any act of aggression, threat, intimidation, harassment, indiscriminate killing by an uncultured and or uncivilised people. The Itsekiri National Youths Council Worldwide is ever ready to defend and or protect the territorial integrity of Warri Kingdom. The Goodluck Ebele Jonathan era where the Ijaws apply violent means in pressing home their demands is over.
Furthermore, while it must be stated and emphatically too that in a democratic settings,the itsekiris are not against the right of anyone or group of persons who wish to aspire to become even the president of this country,our concern and advise is that it must be done in accordance with the rule of law and under strict democratic adherences of which as at today,favours the itsekiris in the 3- Warri LGAs than any other tribe. Therefore, if election is conducted hundred times,the itsekiris will always produce the winner. Hence, if the ijaws of Gbaramatu chooses to live in the past by threatening thunder and storm,when the music starts,the result will be there for everyone to see as this council will not fold its hands and allow a repetition of what transpired in the past where initially we kept quite to wait for the government that eventually disappointed themselves and failed in their constitutional responsibilities. If the Ijaws of gbaramatu are looking for anyone to reel out threat messages on, on the pages of news papers,they must be quick to be told to look elsewhere.However,if they are serious with their threat,they should be gallant enough to show us where the battle field is if they will not see us there.
Finally, we want to use this medium to call on His Excellency Sen(Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, the Governor of Delta State to issue a stern warning to these potential troublemakers to stay clear of the state and that all security apparatus of the state should be on red alert for any potential threat that may undermine the peace of the state.
Consequently, we wish to advise our Ijaw neighbours that violence is not the way to go rather allow the electorate decide who to be their next LGA chairman.
Comr. Lucky Futughe
(Director Media & IT)
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