The Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF) has issued a rallying call to prominent Ijaw leaders, urging them to submit fresh bills for the creation of Ijaw homogeneous states, including Oil River and Toru-Ebe states, in the national assembly.
This comes on the heels of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration resolves to create more states in the country.
The IPF’s call encompassed a wide range of stakeholders, including Ijaw national assembly members, state assembly members, governors of Rivers and Bayelsa states, and Ijaw national leader Pa Edwin Clark.
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The leadership of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) national chairman of PANDEF, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo, and other Ijaw influential leaders are also charged to come together to pursue the creation of homogeneous states for the Ijaw nation.
The call was contained in a statement signed on behalf of the group by its national president, Comrade Ozobo Austin, stating that the creation of homogeneous states that will address the Ijaws’ longstanding issues of underdevelopment and marginalization.
The statement reads, “The creation of homogeneous states, particularly Oil River and Toru-Ebe, holds great promise for the Ijaw people. It is expected to bring about improved governance, increased economic opportunities, and enhanced infrastructure development.
“Again, it will provide a platform for the Ijaw people to have a stronger voice in national politics and decision-making processes in the country.
The pan Ijaw media forum urged Ijaw leaders to take the lead in submitting fresh bills for the Ijaw homogeneous states’ creation in the national assembly.
This included Ijaw national assembly members, who are expected to sponsor and champion the bills in the National Assembly and State assembly members, governors, and other stakeholders are also urged to lend their support to the initiative to give a smooth ride of the passage.
It states further, “It is essential that Ijaw leaders respond positively to this call and work together to make the creation of Ijaw homogeneous states a reality being the fourth largest ethnic nationality in Nigeria.
“With unity, determination, and collective effort, the Ijaw people can achieve their aspirations and create a brighter future for themselves and generations to come,” the group added.