Delta 2023: Delta ljaws Hold Consultative Meeting In Warri

By Francis Tayor

As the different ethnic groups in Delta State are warming up ahead 2023 gubernatorial election, the political class, business men, opinion leaders, religion, youth bodies, women, student leaders as well as critical stakeholders of ljaw ethnic nationality from across communities in Patani, Bomadi, Burutu, Warri South West, Warri South and Warri North Local Government Areas of the state has held her first consultative meeting in preparation to produce the next governor of the state comes 2023.

The meeting was held on Saturday 22nd May, 2022 at BB Hotels, Warri attracted prominent ljaw sons and daughters from all works of life, far and near gathered together in their numbers to brainstorm, plan and strategize on how to negotiate with other ethnic groups across the state in order to wrestle politcal power from the incumbent governor after the expiration of his tenure in 2023.

Speaking during the meeting, the convener, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo thanked and appreciated ljaw illustrious sons and daughters in creating time to attend the meeting.

He said the meeting was promulgated as a result of the forthcoming 2023 governorship election and the need for ljaw nation to produce the next governor of Delta State.

Adding: “Delta state belongs to all of us, and the ljaws have the right to become governor. This is our time, let’s unite ahead to form a formidable team to battle for the seat of government. Thank God our Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has said, it is only God that can determine who will succeed him in 2023. Let’s unite and hold unto God seriously, with God all things are possible.”

In his reaction, the President of ljaw National Congress (INC), Prof. Benjamin Okaba commanded the convener of the meeting, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo for bringing Delta ljaws together to brainstorm ahead 2023. Delta ljaw Governorship, saying that 2023 is a divine mandate.

He stressed that the governorship agenda of Delta and Rivers States ljaws is one of the cardinal projects in his led INC administration.

“We the Ijaws of Delta and Rivers States can no longer be a supporters” club. This time around, it is the turn of Urhobo nation of Delta and the Ikwere man in Rivers to support us,” Okaba noted.

In her contribution, Mrs Barr. Vero Bamuza Mutu, who was a former Governorship aspirant of Delta State, charged Delta ljaws to be united as one and fight for the number one seat of the state.

“This is our turn, but before we can achieve it, we must first of all be firmly united,” she opined.

However, climax of the meeting was the official unveiling of the crested message T-shirt to the public by the convener, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo.

Meanwhile, it was surprising that the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Barr. Dcn. Kingsley Burutu Otuaro was not in attendance.

Some dignitaries present at the meeting include; former Minister of Police Affairs who is the convener of the meeting, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo, His Lordship. Bishop Hycent Egbebo, the Catholic Bishop of Bomadi Diocese, Sen. Jame Manager, Dr. Braduce Angozi, Hon. Nicholas Mutu, Hon. Frank Enekorogha, INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, High Chief. Wellington Bobo, Chief. P.Y. Biakpara, High Chief. Frank Omare, Hon. Sylvester Oromoni, Alaowei Fredrick Owotorufa, Chief Amb. Sheriff Mulade, Chief. David Pere, High Chief. Mike Loyibo, Prof. Piniki Isaiah, Barr. Vero Bamuza Mutu, Hon. Ebikeme Clark, Prof. Tiemo, Hon. William Angadi, Hon. Newsworld Safugha, Hon. Oboro Preyor, Chief. Godspower Gbenekama, Hon. Emomotimi Guwo, Dr. Felix Tuodolor, Dr. Chris Ekiyor, Chief. J.T. Government, Chief. Yerin Ekpedibo, Chief. Boro Opudu, lBarr. Pereotubo Oweilaemi, Barr. Eric Omare among others too numerous to mention.

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*Below is the Communique issued at the end of the meeting, read*.

DELTA STATE GOVERNORSHIP 2023

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF A CONSULTATIVE MEETING OF SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF DELTA STATE IJAWS HELD ON SATURDAY MAY 22, 2021 ON THE DELTA STATE GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION 2023.

Ijaw people of Delta State met on Saturday, the 22nd day of May, 2021 at BB Hotel and Suites, No. 32 Deco Road, Warri, Delta State to assess their socio-economic and political situation since the creation of Delta State in 1991 till date. The meeting was attended by political, community, religious, youth, women and student leaders from across the Ijaw Communities in Patani, Bomadi, Burutu, Warri South West, Warri South and Warri North Local Government Areas of Delta State. At the meeting, the participants OBSERVED as follows THAT:

1. The Ijaws of Delta State have been active players in the socio-economic and political affairs since the days of Western and Mid-Western regions, Bendel State and now Delta State.

2. Ijaw leaders were at the forefront of the struggle for the creation of Delta State from the defunct Bendel State.

3. The Ijaw people have made huge sacrifice and contribution to the socio-economic sustenance of Delta State.

4. However, despite the human and economic contributions of the Ijaws to the sustenance of the state, our communities do not have commiserate infrastructural development.

5. The Ijaw people over the years have strongly supported other ethnic nationalities of the State to produce the Governor of Delta State.

6. The meeting took note of the fact that Chief Dennis Osadebey of the present Anioma was the Premier of the defunct Mid-Western Region, when it was created in 1963 with Chief Jereton Marierie from Urhobo as Governor.

7. In the present Delta State, the Ijaws massively supported the emergence of Olorogun Felix Ibru and Chief James Ibori from Urhobo ethnic nationality, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan from the Itsekiri ethnic nationality and Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa from the Ika (Anioma) ethnic nationality as Governor.

8. The meeting also noted that even though there was no agreement on power rotation, all the three senatorial districts have produced the Governor of Delta State.

Consequently, after critical and exhaustive deliberations, the meeting RESOLVED as follows THAT:

i. In the spirit of fairness, equity and brotherhood, we appeal to the other ethnic nationalities of Delta State to support a Candidate of Ijaw extraction to become the Governor of Delta State in 2023.

ii. The meeting urged Ijaws to work in collaboration with other ethnic nationalities in the State to achieve the resolution to produce the next Governor of Delta State because we cannot do it alone.

iii. The meeting commended Governor Okowa for his strides in the infrastructural development of Delta State and his vision to build a stronger Delta State.

iv. The meeting also called on Ijaws to continue to support the administration of Governor Okowa and urge the youths to remain calm and maintain the existing peace in the State.

Signed:

1. Alaowei Broderick Bozimo

2. Chief Godspower Gbenekama

3. Elder Edmund Tiemo