By Cletus Opukeme, Warri
The Leadership of Oporoza House, a soci-political pressure group in the Niger Delta has condemned in strong terms the senseless killing during Ijaw youths council, Eastern zone in Abuloma community in Rivers state.
Leader of Oporoza House, Chief Timi Ogoriba stated in a press release signed on behalf of the house
According to him ”The use of violence and intolerance of other opinions in election matters in the Ijaw Youth Council elections.It is widely reported that the elections of the Ijaw Youth Council Eastern Zonal elections of Saturday 14th September, 2024 at Abuloma, was characterized with shooting, killing and wanton destruction of property of the people of the Abuloma.A high powered delegation led by the Leader of Oporoza House”
Chief Timi Ogoriba, lamented the high casualty that resulted in a supposed peaceful election of the youth body of the Ijaw nation, being high-jacked by extraneous elements.
Chief T. K. Ogoriba was speaking at the Palace of the Amayanabo of ancient Okochiri Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, King Doctor Ateke Micheal Tom, at Okrika, in the Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State. He said that the visit was originally to congratulate His Royal Majesty, King Ateke Tom, on the elevation of his stool from second class to First Class by His Excellency, Governor Siminialaye Fubara of Rivers Sate, to solidarize with him and pray that his reign will be peaceful and prosperous. It however, coincided with the ugly incident of last weekend’s Ijaw Youth Council Eastern Zonal election fracas that caused loss of lives and destruction of property of the people of Abuloma, Okrika.Chief Ogoriba stated that Oporoza House was going to engage with stakeholders of Ijaw Ethnic Nationality to ensure a peaceful and amicable resolution of the incident.
He pleaded with King Ateke Tom, that however provocative the incident is, he and the Okrika people should exercise restraint and not do anything that could further escalate the situation.
Responding, the Amayanabo of Ancient Okochiri Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, King Doctor Ateke Micheal Tom, commended the Oporoza House for its steadfastness in the pursuit of peace, unity and progress of the Ijaw nation since its inception.
His Majesty, King Ateke Tom, sued for sustainable tolerance and peaceful co-existence among the federating clans of the Ijaw ethnic nations.
He reaffirmed his commitment to ensure peace to accelerate development of the Ancient Okochiri Kingdom and the entire Okrika nation.
The delegation also paid condolence visit on the Amayanabo of Abuloma Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, King Bright Ateke Fibonumama, at his Palace in Abuloma. Chief Timi Ogoriba, on behalf of the delegation, expressed regrets over the dastardly act by few sons of Ijaw extraction that claimed lives of youths of Abuloma.
He called Ijaw elders to close ranks and nip in the bud, the drift that the lot of the common interest of the Ijaw Nationality has become, with some individuals raising Ijaw sons to fight itself with the aim to destabilize the Ijaw people and the Governor, who is an Ijaw son. It is an unfortunate irony, he noted. Earlier, the King of Abuloma Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, King Bright Ateke Fibonumama, thanked the Oporoza House delegation for identifying with the people of Abuloma Kingdom in their moment of grief. He insisted that perpetrators of the acts during the IYC election were from outside.He called on his brothers of Wakirike nation not to contemplate revenge to avoid taking more lives of the people of Ijaw nation.His Royal Majesty, King Bright Ateke Fibonumama, appealed to His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers Sate, Sir Siminalaye Fubara and other well-meaning Nigerians to come to the aid of the bereaved families as only the Abuloma Kingdom cannot do it.
