•As Ijaw Allege Marginalization
From: Nosa Akenzua, Asaba
Ahead of 2023 Delta governorship elections, the Urhobos have commenced moves to actualize a purported zoning arrangement.
With Governor Ifeanyi Okowa yet to settle down for his second term in office, strong indications are the Ijaw may jettison the zoning arrangement within the people’s Democratic Party ( PDP) in the state for the Urhobos to produce the next governor.
Sources said some interest groups of the urhobo extraction are allegedly enmished in a controversy of double standards and traitors working ahead of 2023 for an Urhobo to become the governor.
Tobiri Okpuromu, a strong Ijaw native activist who spoke to Journalists in Asaba on Sunday, alleged that the zoning arrangement means injustice to the Ijaw, for an Urhobo person to emerge l the governor of the state come 2023.
“We have been watching with keen interest the moves by the Urhobos even when Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is yet to settle down in his second term in office that it’s their turn, let me assure you that the zoning will not work and we Ijaws are not part of the zoning again, it’s outright marginalization and cheat for us. We are contesting the 2023 governorship elections in Delta, and its our turn to produce the next governor after Okowa” Okpuromu disclosed.
But the state coordinator of New Nigeria Democratic Evolution (NNDE) Comrade Francis Obule has Urged the people of Okpe, Sapele and Uvwie federal Constituency to get prepared for the 2023 Delta state governorship race.
Obule who spoke to Journalists in Asaba on Sunday, said that the call became necessary for the Urhobos to form a formidable group to take their turn as it would be Urhobo to have the governorship position come 2023.
He noted that Urhobo nation has three federal Constituencies, stressing that Ethiope federal Constituency produced Chief James Ibori as Governor while Ughelli/Udu federal Constituency produced Olorogun Felix Ibru remaining Okpe, Sapele and Uvwie federal Constituency.
Obule stated that going by the zoning arrangement of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) it’s obvious that Okpe, Sapele and Uvwie federal Constituency turn to produce the next Delta state governor come 2023 adding that the only way they could achieve the dream was coming together as one entity to agitate for the governorship position.
While urging the Urhobos to mobilize to produce one aspirant against Others, Obule affirmed that based on equity, Fairness and Justice, It’s obvious that Okpe Sapele and Uvwie federal Constituency should have the governorship in 2023 when it comes to Delta Central Senatorial District, Stressing that they have not had the opportunity to produce a deputy governor nor governor since the creation of Delta state in 1991.
Last week, the state Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Barr Kingsley Esiso had during a chat with Journalists in Asaba said it was too early for Urhobo agitation for 2023, saying that the time will dictate the true position of the Urhobos.
Since then,the Ijaws have through various interviews with Journalists alleged that the purported zoning arrangement might spell doom for the party if Urhobos have their way when Ijaws who make the highest votes, have never been governor, instead they get deputy, a position for second fiddle.
