Egbema Community Demands Appointment Of Indigene As Commissioner In Delta

…Threatens Court Action, Halt Of Oil Operations, Protests

By Daniel Dafe

The Egbema Integrity Group (EIG) and the Egbema Youth Council ( EYC) of Warri North Local Government Area in Delta State have vowed to do all it takes legally to resist any attempt for their kingdom not to be part of the cabinet of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

Recall that recently, Governor Oborevwori sent a list of 26 commissioner nominees to the Delta State House of Assembly for screening by the lawmakers.

On the said list, the Itesikiri ethnic group produced the two Commissioners from the local government area, Ms. Erode Uduaghan and Dr. Isaac Wiliky, a development that the people of Egbema have frowned at and want the governor to rescind and appoint an Egbema Indigene as one.of the commissioners from.the area.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday in Seko Hotel, Airport Road, Warri, Barr. Francis Abulu, for the leadership of EIG, wondered how despite that Egbema has nine State Wards and four Federal wards, while Itsekiri has 11 State Wards and six Federal Wards, Oborevwori who promised a government for all, decided not to hide his hatred for the Egbema people.

Asked if the community can be pacified with any other position since the commissioners have already been picked, he said: “What we want is a commissioner position or nothing. We must have our inidigene seat in the State Executive Council of Delta State. If that is not possible, there will be consequences.”

Adding: “We will stop oil activities in our community and also drag the government to court. This is an evil state policy and we are determined to put a stop to.this now.”

ALSO READ: NAFDAC Warns Against Consumption Of Contaminated Whippy Mayonnaise In Circulation

According to him, Uduaghan should have made his daughter when he was governor and not now make her a commissioner and then Michael Diden (a.k.a. Ejele) also producing the other commissioner.

“It is a slap on the face of Egbema people and we are ready to resist it.”

He continued: “Justice demands that if an appointment of a Commissioner from Warri North should be considered, then that person must be an Ijaw. This is because since the creation of Warri North Local Government Area, it has always been Itsekiri occupying the position at the State Executive Council. Not until toward the end of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s second term in office was an Ijaw, Hon. Joel Bisina, made Commissioner for six months.

“We the Egbema people have suffered political oppression and injustice in Warri North Local Government Area for too long. The Ijaw of Warri North have been denied the position of House of Assembly Member since 1991 when the Local Government Council was created (inclusive of the inception of democracy in 1999) till date.”

He revealed that Egbema Leaders wrote Governor Oborevwori, a letter for a meeting but it was not considered, stating: “Apparently because we are only good at turning in our votes massively during elections but cannot share in the proceeds therefrom. The disposition of the governor in alienating the Ijaws of Warri North from executive office shows he does not understand the political calibration of the State he is voted to govern.”

He also alleged that “this action of the Governor is clearly to perpetuate and escalate the political overpowering of the Ijaws of Warri North so that they can be kept under by the other ethnic group in the local government area.”

Meanwhile, the community’s youth president, Cmr. City Kelvin Eferusua, said it was a small request that the government has to grant.

“All we need is just a commissioner,” he said.

Also speaking, Madam Justina Tienio, Spokesperson, Egbema Community, said: “We are not happy. Egbema people have continually suffered political injustice for 24 years. They have before now pleaded with us. We actually do not want to have issues with the Itsekiri people, but the governor must listen to us.”

She said: “We worked against our brother for the State House of Assembly and voted Fred Martins, an Itsekiri because we wanted PDP. Some persons are saying they spent money and should be allowed to choose the commissioners. They must not forget that money is not enough to win elections. Vites are also needed and we provided the votes.”

Also present during the press briefing were Comr. Ekpokeme Governor, Secretary, EYC, Asoki Victor and some members of the community.