Elderstatesman and National leader of the Ijaw nation, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, has stated that Delta Central 2023 (DC-23) lobby group are on the right track with their ongoing lobby of groups, stakeholders and political bigwigs in Delta South and North senatorial districts on the need to support an indigene of Delta Central for governor of the state come 2023.
Clark who made this known when the leadership of DC-23 paid him a visit at his Abuja residence, said in time past Urhobo were well recognised in the country, and as such urged the leadership of DC-23 to return Urhobo back to that level where the Urhobo would be seen working for Urhobo interest and not for individuals.
He said assuming he was not involved with issues of restructuring of Nigeria, the speech presented by the National Chairman of DC-23, Chief Ighoyota Amori could had been enough to carry him over to his side.
He commended Chief Ighoyota Amori for the brilliant presentation, and added that he will not allow differences to ensue between the Ijaws and the Urhobos, since he is related to both ethnic nationalities paternally and maternally respectively.
According to him, at the right time, leaders will seat and take decision on the governorship seat but advised that whoever that will be the governor of Delta state must be someone who will be ready to develop the entire state and not section of the state.
Earlier, National Chairman of Delta Central 2023, Chief Senator Ighoyota Amori in his speech told Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark that the visit was to appeal to him to prevail on leaders of the PDP to stick to the zoning arrangement of the governorship seat along senatorial districts’ line.
He said the DC-23 is a lobby group made up of card carrying members of the PDP in Delta Central Senatorial District with aim to lobby for the governorship seat to rotate to the Central come 2023.
He noted that the political relationship between the Ijaws and Urhobos had been very cordial from time immemorial and as such the DC-23 will do everything possible to ensure the relationship is sustained.
According to him, “the Ijaws have their argument for the governorship seat likewise the Urhobos but we can’t talk of zoning on ethnic lines because the state is made up of various ethnic groups, hence the appeal for us to maintain the zoning arrangement on senatorial districts order”.
“We want to establish a sustainable system where when it gets to your turn no one from another senatorial district can contest with you. So the argument that Urhobo or other ethnic groups contested during the turn of other senatorial districts will no longer be there”, he added.
He appealed to the Elderstatesman to help prevail on their Ijaw brothers to see reason with Delta Central Senatorial District on the need to strengthen the zoning arrangement on senatorial order for peace and stability.
Also, former Minister of Information, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire who also added his voice no one can quantify peace with instability, saying that rotation of governorship along senatorial line has brought peace in the polity of the state.
“The moment we reduce the Nigeria or Delta state zoning arrangement to ethnic line, we will be in trouble. So we are pleading with our leader to prevail on our Ijaw brothers to reason in same line with us”, he added.
Leaders and members of DC-23 that went for the visit include Chief Ighoyota Amori, National Chairman, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, Former Minister of Information, Hon. (Comrade) Reuben Izeze Y., 1st Vice Chairman, Dr. Chris Oharisi, National Secretary, Hon. (Olorogun) Taleb Tebite, National Financial Secretary, Dcn. Raymond Edijala, Assistant National Treasurer, Hon. Godwin Atose, National Organizing Secretary, Mr. Austin Opubor, National Welfare Officer, Mrs. Philomena Ededey, Assistant National Welfare Officer, Mr. Stephen Akemu, National Youth Leader, Hon. Chief Sunday Apah, Assistant National Publicity Secretary.
Others are Barr. William Etubiebi, Chairman, BoT, Hon. Efe Afe, Member House of Representives Okpe, Sapele, Uvwie Constituency, Hon. Solomon Ahwinahwi, Former House of Representatives member, Hon. Chief Ejaife Odebala, Former House of Assembly member, Rt. Hon. Lovette Idisi, Former House of Representatives member, Hon. Chief Eunice Daji Okoh, Mr. Eric Osiobe, Chief John Asaboro and Chief Blessing Oborevwori.
Those on ground to welcome DC-23 with Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark were Ambassador Goodness Igali, Former Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Energy, Mr. Mac Emakpore, retired NTA Director, Mrs Lizzy Uvoh-Gardner, Former Commissioner for Education, Delta state, Mr & Mrs Esi, UPU President General, FCT, Abuja, Rt. Hon Oghene Egoh, Member, House of Representatives, Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency, Lagos State, Rt. Hon. Christopher Obiuwevbi, and amongst others.
