Egbema Humanitarian Rights Calls on Gov Oborevwori, Party Leaders, Stakeholders, to Consider Ijaws for Warri North LGA Chairmanship Based On Ethnic Nationality Equity

 

By Wilson Macaulay

Warri North 

 The President of Egbema Communities Peace Development and Humanitarian Rights Association, Comrade Mike JK Tiemo, and Chairmanship aspirant has made a compassionate call and appeal to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, leaders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and concerned stakeholders from the Itsekiri and Ijaw ethnic groups to address the issue of ethnic nationality equity in Warri North Local Government Area (LGA).

In a detailed statement, Comrade Mike JK Tiemo emphasized the need for an Ijaw person to be considered for the position of LGA Chairman. He highlighted the long-standing imbalance in the political representation within the LGA, which has seen the Itsekiri ethnic group predominantly occupying the chairmanship position since the LGA’s creation in 1991.

The association underscored that out of the 29 years of governance, only once has an Ijaw person, Hon. (Capt) Smart Yomi Asekutu, been appointed as the council chairman, a move that brought relative peace and unity to the LGA which should not be jeopardized.

 Comrade Tiemo pointed out that this was made possible through the intervention of former Governor Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa and then-Speaker of the State House of Assembly, His Excellency, RT Hon Sheriff Oborevwori Who is now our amiable Governor.

Comrade Mike Tiemo 

in his appeal, provided a comprehensive Historical context of Political Marginalization of the leadership in Warri North LGA since 1991 which reveals a clear pattern of exclusion of the Ijaws from key positions:

 The list revealed  Past Chairmanship Positions as follows;

Mr. C.N Nwaduba (Acting Chairman, Sept - Dec 1991)

Hon. D. Adams (Executive Chairman, Dec 1991 - Oct 1993)

Mr. F.N Aghedo (Acting Chairman, Dec 1993 - Oct 1994)

Chief K.E Kartey (Acting Chairman, Oct 1994 - 1995)

Hon. S. Arenka (Executive Chairman, Oct 1995 - Mar 1997)

Mr. Jos Ochor (Sole Administrator, Mar 1997 - Jun 1998)

Mr. S.C Okoh (Sole Administrator, Jun 1998 - Jun 1999)

Hon. B. Asin (Executive Chairman, Jun 1999 - Jun 2002)

Comdr O.O Oyibo (Acting Chairman, Jun 2002 - Jul 2002)

Mr. O. Edward (Transitional Chairman, Jul 2002 - May 2003)

Comdr O.O Oyibo (Acting Chairman, May 2003 - Aug 2003)

Hon. Prince Michael Diden (Transition Chairman, Aug 2003 - Dec 2004)

Hon. Prince Michael Diden (Executive Chairman, Dec 2004 - May 2008)

Mr. G.N Okonta (Acting Chairman, 2008)

Hon. Godwin T. Ebosa (Executive Chairman, May 2008 - May 2011)

Comr Oyewu J. Nunu (May 2011 - Nov 2012)

Evang David E. Edun (Transitional Chairman, Nov 2012 - Oct 2014)

Hon. Chief E. Maku Eyituoyor (Executive Chairman, Oct 2014 - Oct 2018)

Comr O.D Akambe (Acting Chairman, Oct 2017 - Jan 2018)

Hon. Aduge Okorodudu (Executive Chairman, Jan 2018 - 2021)

All these positions were held by individuals from the Itsekiri ethnic group until the appointment of Hon. (Capt) Smart Yomi Asekutu from the Ijaw community, following significant interventions

The Statement stressed that listed above  were of Itsekiri descent, and highlighted the continued exclusion of the Ijaw people from key political positions. He stressed that this marginalization has been a source of ethnic tension and called for an equitable rotation of elective positions between the Egbema Ijaw and Itsekiri communities which support ethnic nationality equity like the Senate did for regional equity the case North West Development Agency , recently established or enacted.

Tiemo the Chairmanship aspirant

in his statement also drew the Governors attention to the recent appointments made by the state government, where two  commissioner slots for Warri North LGA were allocated to the Itsekiri ethnic group, excluding the Ijaws in a duration of 32 years ,applicable to House of Assembly and House of Representative. . This, according to Tiemo, goes against the principles of fair representation and the federal character and the spirit of equity between the two ethnic nationalities of ljaw and ltsekiri.  

In his concluding remarks, Comrade Tiemo called for the retention of the LGA Chairmanship by an Ijaw person and the implementation of equal rotation of all elective positions between the two ethnic groups for further unification of both ethnic nationalities.

 He urged and appealed to the Delta State government to adhere to constitutional provisions ensuring diversity and equity, thereby fostering unity and sustainable development in the LGA

He added: " l wish to once again call On the ljaws and ltsekiris to come together to manage and enjoy the dividends of democracy accuable to Warri North LGA without creating vacuum  for controversies, bitterness and tension.'

According to Comrade Tiemo, there is need for

Stakeholders across board to demonstrate love and embrace the Principle of give and take in our lives as required by God Almigthy

the creater of heaven and earth.

Tiemo enjoined leaders of both ljaw and ltsekiri ethnic nationalities to take the growth and development of Warri North LGA as their responsibility and ultimate concern instead of injustice, tension and destruction.

He emphadized that a prudent and wise man loves and embrace innovation but not destruction of God given golden opportunity , as we have today in Warri North.

The Egbema Communities Peace Development and Humanitarian Rights Association remains hopeful that the state government and relevant stakeholders will consider their appeal, promoting peace and fairness in the political landscape of Warri North LGA without ostracization