Group Urges Oborevwori To Uphold Federal Character Principle In Warri North Appointments

A socio-political group, Hope for Egbema People (HEP), has called on Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to uphold the Federal Character principle in the administration of Warri North Local Government Area by ensuring equitable representation for the Egbema Ijaw people in political appointments.

In a press statement issued on June 27 and signed by its Chairman, Comrade Crowford Ditari, and Secretary, Eguofini Justice, the group alleged that the constitutional principle of fairness and inclusiveness, as enshrined in Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution, has not been reflected in the distribution of key political offices in Warri North.

The group cited Section 14(3) of the Constitution, which provides that the composition of government and the conduct of its affairs should reflect Nigeria’s federal character in a manner that promotes national unity and prevents the predominance of persons from a few ethnic or sectional groups.

According to HEP, the Itsekiri ethnic group has occupied virtually all major political positions in Warri North Local Government Area since 1991. The group listed the positions to include Member of the Delta State House of Assembly, Chairman of Warri North Local Government Council, Member representing the constituency in the House of Representatives, Commissioner in the Delta State Executive Council and Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the local government.

The group noted that while the Ijaw occupied the position of council chairman for only three years, there is currently no Egbema Ijaw representative in the administration of Governor Oborevwori.

HEP argued that both the Ijaw and Itsekiri communities are indigenous to Warri North and contribute significantly to the oil and gas resources that sustain the state’s economy, insisting that the Egbema Ijaw people deserve equitable representation in line with the Constitution.

The group also recalled Governor Oborevwori’s declaration during a meeting with Catholic priests at Government House, Asaba, where he reportedly stated that he was “Governor for all Deltans, not any ethnic group.”

According to HEP, that commitment has yet to be reflected in the political representation of the Egbema Kingdom in Warri North.

ALSO READ: Delta Police Smash Criminal Networks, Arrest 85 Suspects, Recover 32 Firearms

The group therefore appealed to the governor to take immediate steps to ensure fairness, equity and balanced representation in the administration of Warri North Local Government Area, in line with both the Federal Character principle and his pledge of inclusive governance.