Delta 2023: Ijaw Lobby Team Visits Isoko Traditional Leaders, IDU, Alexander Ogomudia

Isoko Leaders Pledge Support, Reinforced Bond With Ijaws

The Ijaw Consultative Team led by former Minister of Police Affairs, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo, on Thursday visited and was well-received by the Isoko Nation both in Oleh and at Uzere.

Bozimo, told the Isoko traditional leaders led by Odion Logbo of Ole Kingdom that the visit was a special mission to intimate the Isoko traditional leaders on the desire of the Ijaw nation to seek their support for the 2023 governorship, a mission the Ijaw believe is driven by the God Almighty.

He noted that the Isoko Nation, apart from being brothers, have been dependable political allies of Ijaw people.

He described as unfair and misleading the claim in certain quarters that the desire and appeal of the Ijaw for the opportunity to contest, and be duly supported by Deltans of other ethnic extractions, the 2023 election, amounted to tribal campaign or agitation.

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Adding: “We believe that to attempt to shut out or silence the people even before the race had started is unfair.”

The Isoko Traditional leaders in their response said that the Isoko people are with the Ijaws and that power belongs to God, praying that God would bring it to fruition.

Similarly, the Isoko Development Union (IDU) led by Professor Christopher Akpotu received Alaowei Bozimo and his team at its headquarters in Oleh. Bozimo told the social cultural organization that his team came to plead with the Isoko leadership to see reason in the cry of the Ijaw people concerning 2023.

“We are only asking to be given the opportunity, and we are not tribal bigots. The song that says it’s our turn is wrong because it is nobody’s estate as the governorship has always been thrown open; and, this time around, we are pleading to be given this opportunity. That power would have gone round by 2023 and, like the regular ‘osusu’ cycle, it can’t be the same person that started it that would take turns when it comes back.

“We provide economic sustenance to the state like the Isokos and we cannot only be hewers of wood and drawers of water. Three of our sons have indicated interest but I believe that in due time more will come forward.”

Responding on behalf of the IDU, Professor Akpotu said that they were in agreement with the Ijaws that a mother’s breast cannot be sucked by one child alone.

“We share in your quest to produce the governor in 2023. Any fraternity with the Ijaws is a healthy one,” he noted adding that the Isoko were convinced by events of the past that the Ijaws are reliable patners.

The IDU president-general noted that the Ijaws will maximize the gain of the district.

“We will look at our history and support on that basis,” Akpotu said.

Also speaking, the immediate past president-general of the IDU, Chief Iduh Amadhe, described the meeting as a special one and that a meeting of the Isoko political class will be called to intimate them. That the Ijaws could go around with this good news of the Isoko support.

The next point of call of the Ijaw 2023 team was the home of Gen Alexander Ogomudia, CFR, rtd.

Bozimo told the retired general and former chief of defence staff that the visit became “necessary because we need men of courage to pass the message to the Isoko people as we cannot provide the resources and remain mere hewers of wood and fetchers of water.

The host, Gen. Ogomudia, said that he saw the visit as one to rob minds and welcomed the Ijaw delegation as one that is very special to him and his people.

He said that the purpose of the visit was well understood, and that it was time to speak truth to the political situation.

He said that there was need for conscientiousness to drive the process while trusting God for its success.

Ijaw leaders at the event included
Alaowei Broderick Bozimo, Alarm Bozimo ( Mrs), Hon. Frank Enikorogha, former member of the House of Representatives,
Gen. Broderick Demeyeibo (rtd), Hon. Tonye Timi, former member Delta State House of Assembly,
Barr. David P. Ekerokosu (former Commissioner for Oil and Gas), Hon. Engr. K. Preyor, acting majority leader Delta State House of Assembly,
Chief Aribogha Johnny (JP),
Engr. Pius Donyegha,
Barr. Fred E. Owotorufa,
Fanty Goodness Owotorufa (Mrs),
Hon. Allan Egbegi,
Madam Felicia Gbobgbo
Ekenwan Akwagbe,
Hon. Ekiyorkeyi Asiyai,
Hon. Gloria Okubodogha,
Hon. Collins Olorogun (former Chairman Bomadi L.G.A),
Chief James Nieketein (S.S.A to Governor,
Comr. Moses Fiyebor,
Okporu Ebi Augustine (D-G Delta Ijaw 2023 Governorship Advocacy Group (DIGAG),
Dr. Doubra Collins- Okotete (IYC Western Zone Chairman),
Rt. Rev. Godwins Soroaye (J.P), Rev. Mrs Soroaye,
Hon. (Chief) Roland Kemefa,
Hon. Bebeteidoh W. Austin,
Comr. Moses Fiyebor,
Barr. Eric Omare (former president of IYC),
Barr. Newworld Safugha (Executive Assistant to the Governor of Delta State),
Mr. Funebi Numupeide (Opinion Leader),
Chief J.T Government Governoring Board Chairman, Delta School of Marine Technology Burutu
Engr. Ezonfade Oyakemeagbegha- INC Publicity Secretary,
Mr. Kemezode Tobi;
Eng. Dr. John Agori;
Francis Bekesuode Abulu, Esq