…Says now is the time to think one Warri; think development.
By Cletus Opukeme, Warri
Ijaw youths Council (IYC) western zone led by Dr. Doubra Collins has preached for harmonious relationship between the Ijaws and Itsekiris to promote peace, unity and ddvelopment.
IYC Information Officer, IYC Western Zone, Comrade Lugard Izoukumor stated in a press release, said,”The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Western Zone, says it’s being inundated by series of unverifiable remarks and statements on social media credited to the highly respected monarch, His Royal Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III of Iwere Kingdom and other Itsekiri youth groups. One is a voice note, yet to be verified, so we’re still studying the voice note and if it does match with, His Royal Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III other speeches, then we’ll make the position of Ijaw nation known.
”Furthermore, in the twin statements and voice note remark; on one hand, His Royal Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, was quoted by saying that the Itsekiri ethnic group will not negotiate any elective positions of the Delta State House of Assemblies as well House of Representatives as it relates to the 2023 general elections (in the three Warris: Warri South, Warri South West and Warri North). While on the other hand, it relates to the reconstituted Delta State Traditional Rulers Council where it was seen on social media platforms how some Itsekiri youths were protesting with placards that wrote, “Warri South, Warri South-West and Warri North, belong to the Olu of Warri”, “Stop Undermining the Itsekiris”, “Olu of Warri is the overlordship of the three Warris”, “The Deputy Governor, Kingsley Otuaro, is trying to breach the Peace in Warri”, “Ogiame leads, Itsekiris follow” just to capture a few.
”As it stands, we can’t substantiate whether these statements by the renowned Olu and the Itsekiri youth groups were truth. But, what we know for sure is that social media, has emerged to become a pivotal battleground in moulding public opinion whereby setting the agenda, where one can see too many fake news” He said.
Continuing,” However, Ijaw and itsekiri peoples of Delta State, are one, particularly the three Warris, and they will continue to be; regardless, of the spin of information, describing those statements credited to the Olu, emanating from social media if true, as mischievous, unfortunate and a threat to the unity of which others will be happy by the infrastructural amenities both ethnic groups are lacking. Such statements hovering around the cyber space are threat to peaceful-coexistence; therefore, we urge all to desist and think of one Warri; think of development. Now is the time to think one Warri; think development.
”In addition, it’s important the general public should be aware that in Warri South, Warri South West and Warri North Ijaw ethnic nationality has 6 Kingdoms such as: Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom, Isaba Kingdom, Egbema Kingdom, Diebiri Kingdom and of course Gbaramatu Kingdom, so it’s unreasonable to have read such statements on social media for one ethnic group to be a supreme lordship over the others, which if not carefully managed may incite unnecessary tension and the peace we’ve been enjoying.
”More unreasonably is the fact that, it was, His Royal Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III who paid a royal visit to President Muhammadu Buhari recently in Aso Rock Abuja, demanding the full operation of Warri, Burutu, Koko, and Sapele Ports.
”NB: A Burutu port located in Burutu Local Government Area, which is predominantly occupied by the Ijaw ethnicity of Delta State. Instead of ethnic rivalry, why not rivalry of development in Warri with a unity of purpose and oneness?” The statement added.
Like we’ve said above, if truly, His Royal Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III said the three Warri Local Government Areas are not negotiable then we’re disappointed by his utterances and we dare say, for him to have mentioned the Burutu port as a demand when he met with President Buhari was a mere pretense and a pure pretense. As a group we remind, His Royal Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, how former Governor of Delta State Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan from the Itsekiri ethnic group, a minority was elected as a two term governor with the full support of the Ijaw ethnic nationality.
Finally, without mincing words, we’re still studying these unfortunate developments as a team and if truly they are correct the Ijaw nation will have no other choice than to take a strong position.
