The Egbema PDP Advocacy Group, a political pressure group in the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), in Delta State has again called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to do the needful to address the inexplicable acts of neglect against the Egbema people in Warri north local government area despite their massive support at the polls.
Specifically, the group urged the governor to, as a matter of necessity, adopt what it called “a consensual and inclusive government” motivated by a genuine sense of justice by sending a supplementary budget to the state legislature that will “capture some of the needs of the Egbema Kingdom for the current 2024 fiscal year.
The latest statement from the group signed by its Chairman, Secretary and member, Mr. Carson Tarilade, Mr John Timiyo and Brandly Coupa respectively, said it was an update on another statement it issued last week alerting the world to the great injustice being sufferred particularly by the Ijaw in Warri North, in terms of appointments and government projects.
Nevertheless, it expressed confidence in the ability of the government to address their concerns if the governor summoned the political will.
Though loyal members of the PDP, the group stated that it resorted to public advocacy through “honest and critical view about His Excellency, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as the PDP governor of Delta State” so as to rouse him into taking the right action the people have long been waiting for.
It has becomes necessary to speak the mind of their people concerning political appointments and their obvious exclusion from the 2024 Budget of the state.
“The call for Egbema presence has become necessary and urgent as there is nobody from the kingdom to bring to government attention the suffering and needs of the kingdom. It is unacceptable that there is no single project for the Egbema people in the 2024 Budget.
“When some of our people addressed the media in respect of the appointments of two Commissioners from Warri North, we showed solidarity with them because the action clearly violates Federal Character Principle of Equity and Justice in a multi-ethnic local government area.
“Unfortunately, since that protest against the government last year nothing has been heard of the government in addressing the issues raised”, it stated.
“It is the responsibility of government to listen to the grievances of its citizens and promptly address same, if the issues raised are genuine.
“Each passing day, this government has announced key appointments and yet the people of Egbema cannot even be considered for the next available position in government. We wish to state that our people are not happy with this government inspite of our overwhelming support in the election and our quantum contribution to the government in terms of oil and gas used to fund the budget.
“It is our contribution from Opuama Oil Field, Opuekeba Field, Dibi Field, RMP 17 in Olero Creek that has made Delta State the highest revenue earner in the federation.
“As a people we will continue to protect critical infrastructure in our kingdom and ensure that these issues are objectively put in the public domain until justice is served”.
