…As Ijaw Nation Bows To Pressure, Confirms The Story Report
Ahead of the governorship election in Delta State, a former Niger Delta militia leader, Government Ekpemukpolo aka, Tompolo, has assured governorship frontrunner, Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi, of support.
The former Niger Delta ex-militant, on Tuesday November 23rd 2021, made his position known when the leading gubernatorial hopeful, paid him a visit at his Oporoza country home, Warri south west local government area of the state.
Hear him: “Before long, I will work for you day and night as I have done before with all my followers nationwide when I believe in a person just like I believe in you, Olorogun.
“I do not involve myself in destroying anything that is working, as the Senatorial by Senatorial governorship rotation has worked for our great state.
“It has brought peace to us and peace/development is all that I stand for”, Tompolo declared.
The Story, had reported that Ijaw traditional rulers under the aegis of Delta Ijaw Traditional Rulers Forum has stated that they advised politicians of Ijaw extraction, especially those jostling for elective positions not to work against the system.
The Delta Ijaw Traditional Rulers Forum revealed this through its Chairman, HRM Elder Capt. Joseph Timiyan, Torububo I, Ebenana-Owei of Ogulagha Kingdom and HRM Pere Kalanama VIII, Pere of Akugbene-Mein Kingdom, 2nd Vice Chairman, Delta State Traditional Council when leaders and members of Delta Central 2023 lobby group paid consultation visit to the monarchs at the Palace of HRM Couple Oromoni Mobene III, Amakosu of Ogbe-Ijoh-Warri Kingdom, Ogbe-Ijoh community, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.
The monarchs who spoke in same vein on behalf of all Ijaw traditional rulers in Delta state, stated that Delta State appears to be more comfortable than other states in the south south because a foundation has been laid.
According to them, “we also know that politicians at times, tends to go against the tide. Its not peculiar to one ethnic group or senatorial district And when they do because there is something that is already entrenched, it ends in a favorable way.
“We are royal fathers, our duty is to receive all aspirants and pressure groups. We will continue to pray night and day that campaign or lobby should be carried out without rancour but with high sense of decorum.
“Even the Delta Ijaw that are going round, we usually advised them not to do it with rancour, only to preach the gospel that the ijaws want it too this time around. And that when they get there and the system agrees that they can’t be, it means the system wants it that way. But they should not work against the system.
“Often time when we listen to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, he usually says that at the right time the leadership of the party will seat together and come up with a position. We pray that God in His infinite wisdom will direct the leadership of the party and of course the governor in the right direction.
“We are very very impressed with the way DC-23 is going about its lobby and conducted itself, it has equally encouraged others. I am sure that some other groups are watching what you are doing.
“It is the best way to go, so that at the end of the day, it will still be one big family and umbrella that will house whoever that with be governor. Our prayer in both night and day is for a governor that will see the entire state as one constituency to emerge.
“A governor that will be accessible to Deltans and intellectually sound to be able to carry all Deltans together because God knew that we are of different languages but he brought us together and we will continue to consolidate on it”, they added.
The monarchs noted that despite not being politicians they know that Ijaws and the Urhobos are one in politics and otherwise.
They urged members of the PDP in the state to work hard to ensure that the senatorial district arrangement stands.
“We urged you (Chief Ighoyota Amori), Chief James Onanefe Ibori, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Senator James Manager and other leaders to meet and come up with a unanimous decision to avoid unnecessary spending of money by aspirants.
They said, “we know that before the election there will be understanding because we cannot afford to go into political crises in the state”,
