‘We have sacrificed a lot, it is our turn,’ Ijaws convene for governorship discuss
Ijaws in Delta state have heightened their preparation to ensure they produce the next governor of the state come 2023.
This is even as sons and daughters of the fourth largest ethnicity in Nigeria convened in Warri, for the ‘Delta Ijaw 2023 For Governor Consultative Meeting of Sons And Daughters of Delta Ijaws’ discuss on Saturday.
The event convened by Alaowei Broderick Bozimor saw the gathering of critical stakeholders from across communities in Patani, Bomadi, Burutu, Warri South West, Warri South and Warri North Local Government Areas of the state.
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The discuss attracted prominent ljaw sons and daughters from all works of life, to brainstorm and strategize on how to negotiate with other ethnic groups across the state in a bid to assume power in 2023.
Speaking during the discuss, the convener, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo stated that, “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,” he said.
It is time for Urhobo Nation to support us – Prof Okaba
On his part, the President of ljaw National Congress, Prof. Benjamin Okaba commended the convener of the meeting, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo for bringing Delta ljaws together to brainstorm ahead 2023, saying “Delta ljaw Governorship come 2023 is a divine mandate.”
He stressed that the governorship agenda of Delta and Rivers States ljaws is one of the cardinal projects of the current leadership of Congress.
”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.
Mrs Barr. Vero Bamuza Mutu, a former Governorship aspirant of Delta State, called for unity among Ijaws in the face of the 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,” Mrs Mutu said.
Resolutions reached at the end of the consultative discuss as contained in the communique released to Daily Report Nigeria includes;
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.
The communique was signed by Alaowei Broderick Bozimo, Chief Godspower Gbenekama and Elder Edmund Tiemo.
High point of the event was the unveiling of the ‘Delta Ijaw For Governor 2023’ message by the convener, Alaowei Broderick Bozimor.
