The Itesikiri and Isoko ethnic nationalities, Delta south senatorial district of Delta state have sealed a deal on who to produce the next senator to represent the district at the national Assembly in forthcoming 2019 general elections.
The deal which was sealed Wednesday when leaders of the Itsekiri nation visited the leadership of the umbrella body of the Isoko nation, Isoko Development Union, (IDU), in Oleh, headquarters of the Isoko South local government area of the state with a call on Isokos and Ijaws to cue behind the Itsekiri ethnic nationality for the senatorial seat to produce the next senator to represent the people.
The 12-man high power delegation from the Olu of Warri (Ogiame Ikenwoli) which was led by the Ologbotsere of Warri kingdom, Mr. Ayirimi Emami, also strengthened the brotherhood that have existed between the two ethnic nationalities.
The leaders of the two ethnic nationalities also stressed that the age-long rotational power agreement between the Ijaws, Isokos and Itsekiri for Delta South senatorial seat was not based on political party consideration, but hinged on the principle of fairness, justice and equity.
The spokesman for the Itsekiri delegation, Mr. Brown Mene, while enumerating the zoning formula of the Delta South senatorial district seat,
noted that, “Since the inception of the second republic, the Delta South senatorial district seat was zoned into the three ethnic nationalities (Ijaws, Itsekiri and Isokos) that made up the seat.
“The rotational agreement for the Delta South Senatorial Seat between the Ijaw, Isoko and Itsekiri dated back to the second republic, to avoid a situation where the three tribes will fight themselves. From records, Ijaws and Isokos have gone there twice while Itsekiri has only gone there once. Now it is the turn of Itsekiri to go and represent us and we are appealing to our brothers from Ijaws and Isoko to support us on this course for equity.”
While stressing that the agreement “was not based on political party”, Mr. Mene went down memory lane to mention occupants of the position, like late Justice Atake, followed by Ijaw National Leader, Edwin Clark, late Francis Okpozo, before Stella Omu represented the district in the current republic between 1999 and 2003, when James Manager took over and remained in the position till date “like a broken record”.
Mr. Mene, asserted that it was the turn of Itsekiri to produce the next Delta South Senator in 2019, assuring that Itsekiri nation is committed to ensuring that the person that will emerge will represent the Ijaw, Isoko and itsekiri interest, just as he noted that the brotherly engagement with the Isoko leaders will be extended to their Ijaw counterparts.
Speaking, the President General of Isoko Development Union, (IDU), Mr. Iduh Amadhe attributed the non rotation of the Senatorial seat to various individuals from each ethnic nationality being zoned to failures on the parts of political leaders, adding that it will amount to “practicing political brigandage” against equity and justice.
“To correct this abnormalities, the Olu of Warri, key traditional rulers from Isokos and Ijaws and the political elites from Delta South senatorial district should meet and sign a memorandum of understanding for each of the ethnic nationality occupying the seat at least a maximum of two tenure. We, Isoko, Ijaw, and Itsekiri must come together and sign agreement of maximum of two terms for each ethnic nationality as it affects Delta South.”
Other Isoko leaders, Idodo Umeh, Dennis Etaluku, and Mike Osige, who corroborated the IDU President General’s statement, however urged Itsekiri nationality to as a matter of urgency and importance call for a meeting between the three ethnic nationalities that made up the Delta South senatorial district seat.
They assured the Itsekiri the full support of Isoko people in pursuit of their senatorial ambition in the forthcoming general elections, affirming that as a way to end the current political logjam, the Itsekiri people who they described as trustworthy and straight-forward should be backed for the senatorial seat.
Among the prominent Isoko leaders that received the Itsekiri delegation includes, President-General of Isoko Development Union, (IDU), Iduh Awadhe, Dennis Etaluku, one-time Secretary to State Government, (SSG), Simeon Efenudu, renowned educationist, Idodo Umeh, Mike Osigie among others.
The Itsekiri delegation includes, the Uwangue of Warri, Gabriel Awala, the Otsodi of Warri, Isaac Jemide, Brown Mene, Koffi Edomi Kartey, Chairman of Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, Edwin Ekpoko, Clement Akpoto Malemi, Michael Odeli and Alex Omaghomi.
