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Text of the Press Conference By The Colligate Leadership of Egbema Integrity Group (EIG) And Egbema Youth Council (EYC) On The Nomination of Two Commissioners By His Excellency Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori. Monday, July 24, 2023.
The news of the nomination of names for Commissioners and members of Delta State Executive Council by the Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, should ordinarily be a thing of joy but for the Egbema people of Warri North Local Government Area it signifies a sad day.
Justice demands that if an appointment of a Commissioner from Warri North should be considered, then that person must be an Ijaw. This is because since the creation of Warri North Local Government Area, it has always been Itsekiri occupying the position at the State Exceutive Council. Not until toward the end of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s second term in office was an Ijaw, Hon. Joel Bisina, made Commissioner for six months!
We the Egbema people have suffered political oppression and injustice in Warri North Local Government Area for too long. The Ijaw of Warri North have been denied the position of House of Assembly Member since 1991 when the Local Government Council was created (inclusive of the inception of democracy in 1999) till date.
Against this background, we – indeed every lover of justice – had no reason to doubt if a governor, whose emergence was only by divine grace, would give serious thought to addressing the Egbema political situation; yet not so!
Egbema Leaders wrote the governor, H.E. Sheriff Oborevwori, a letter for a meeting but it was not considered, apparently because we are only good at turning in our votes massively during elections but cannot share in the proceeds therefrom. The disposition of the governor in alienating the Ijaws of Warri North from executive office shows he does not understand the political calibration of the State he is voted to govern.
Warri North comprises the Itsekiris and Ijaws who are equal stakeholders in the Local Government Area. It would have been a thoughtful act to appoint two Commissioners from the Local Government inhabited by two ethnic groups of equal footing to achieve political balance but, sadly, the two Commissioners selected by the governor happen to come form one of the two groups and the other ethnic group is told to go to hell.
This action of the Governor is clearly to perpetuate and escalate the political overpowering of the Ijaws of Warri North so that they can be kept under by the other ethnic group in the local government area.
The votes that he got in Warri North did not come from the Itsekiris alone. It was a collective Vote! The Ijaw Four Federal Wards as against Itsekiri six Federal wards were claimed by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The Ijaws overwhelmingly voted for H.E. Sheriff Oborevwori as governor. So, on what basis was this decision to exclude the Ijaw completely in Warri North made?
*What we see is that the governor is pleasing two contending forces of Itsekiri ethnic group, between the former Gov. Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and Michael Diden (a.k.a. Ejele) whose case is in the tribunal, by unwittingly making the Ijaws the guinea pig or scapegoat. We are, and remain, equal owners and stakeholders of the council area with four wards! So, rewarding a people with six wards with two Commissioners without considering the people with four wards is an act of injustice, a heinous offence crying to Heaven for redress and roundly condemnable* .
We demand to know the rationale for this unholy decision. The action of the Governor violates *Chapter II, Section 14 subsection 4 of the Constitution* of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). The two Commissioners Nominees are: Ms. Erode Uduaghan and Dr. Isaac Wiliky, both Itsekiris from Warri North. Injustice is the bedrock of political conflict. Where the likes of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and Ejele (Diden) want everything, they should be courageous enough to demand their own homogeneous local government. We can only vote to increase their voting strength but not good for appointment!?
*Our Demands:-
1. Reverse the decision and appoint an Egbema Ijaw into the State Exceutive Council;
2. Converne a meeting of Egbema Leaders to resolve the impasse, whichever comes first.
As a major Oil Producing Kingdom, we are host to Opuekeba Flowstation operated by Chvroven, with production capacity of 20,000 barrels per day;
ii. Opuama Flotation operated by NPDCL, with production capacity of 18,000 barrels per day;
III. Chvroven Nigeria Limited in (RMP 17) Olero Field;
IV. CONOIL Producing Limited OML 103 (undergoing drilling).
Consequently, if we are not good enough to be where our God-given wealth will be shared in the state, we will do all within our powers legally to halt oil operations, where this monumental injustice is not addressed.
Where there is injustice, rebellion is a lawful duty.
Thank you for your time and and attention.
Signed:
Barr. Francis Abulu, for the leadership of Egbema Integrity Group (EIG);
Cmr. City Kelvin Eferusua, President Egbema Youth Council ( EYC);
Mr. Ekpokeme Governor, Secretary Egbema Youth Council, EYC.
Dr. Braduce Angozi, a two-time governorship contender in Delta State, has extended his heartfelt congratulations to the Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on the occasion of his 62nd birthday anniversary.
Angozi who was a former commissioner of Delta State applauded the governor for the peace and stability in the state.
He further emphasised that the governor had taken infrastructural development of the state to another enviable level, citing numerous bridges and massive road constructions going in the state.
Dr Angozi praised the governor’s commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and progress, noting that under his leadership, strides have been made in various sectors including education, healthcare, and infrastructure development.
The former Chairman of Burutu Local Government Council Dr. Angozi commended the governor’s resilience and determination, pointing out that the governor’s ability to inspire unity and foster collaboration among diverse groups has been instrumental in driving positive change.
He encouraged the governor to remain steadfast in his mission to improve the lives of all Deltans and to work towards a brighter and more prosperous future for the state.
While Dr Angozi acknowledged the several contributions that Governor Oborevwori had made to the development of the state and the improvement of the lives of its citizens, he wished him good health, wisdom, and countless blessings in the year ahead.
By Favour Bibaikefie
The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, High Chief (Dr.) Dennis Otuaro (PhD.), has extended warm felicitations to the Governor of Delta State, Rt3. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on the celebration of his 62nd birthday. In a heartfelt message, Otuaro described the governor as a visionary leader whose administration has fostered remarkable progress, unity, and peace across the state.
According to Otuaro, Oborevwori’s tenure has not only rekindled hope amongst the people but has also strengthened the foundations of development in Delta. He lauded the governor’s sterling performance and unwavering commitment to service, affirming that Deltans remain confident in his ability to lead the state to a greater future.
This was contained in a statement, signed by
Mr Igoniko Oduma, the Special Assistant on Media to the Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme.
The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, has congratulated the Governor of Delta State, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on the occasion of his 62nd birthday.
Otuaro described the governor as a worthy leader who is proving provided an exemplary leadership resulting in speedy development in the state.
He stressed that Oborevwori was strengthening the existing peace, development, and unity in the state.
The PAP Administrator said that the people of the state believed in the governor’s ability to lead the state, and they were satisfied with his sterling performance.
He said the state was on the march to a great future with Oborevwori in the saddle.
While celebrating the governor, Otuaro said, “I wholeheartedly felicitate His Excellency, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State, on the occasion of your 62nd birthday.
“Your Excellency has provided remarkable leadership, strengthening the existing peace, development, and unity in the state.
“It is a fact beyond contestation that Deltans are satisfied with your sterling performance.
“With you in the saddle, Delta State is assured of a great future.”
“Otuaro prayed to the Almighty God to sustain His blessings of wisdom and good health upon Oborevwori to continue to render service to Delta State and, indeed, Nigeria” the statement read.
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Ijaw Youth Council Celebrates Governor Douye Diri On His Birthday, Hails His Developmental Impact in Bayelsa
By Favour Bibaikefie – IduwiniVoice
Yenagoa, June 4,2025 – The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has extended warm birthday wishes to His Excellencey, Senator Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State, describing him as a beacon of progress and a true embodiment of Ijaw pride
In a press statement signed by the Council’s Spokesman, Amb. (DR) Binebai Yerin Princewill, the IYC praised Governor Diri for his commitment to development, peace, and inclusive governance. The Council acknowledged his transformative leadership and lauded him for his strides in infrastructure, youth empowerment, and economic diplomacy.
“The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has Congratulated His Excellencey Senator Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State On his birth anniversary, describing him as a champion of Development in Bayelsa State.”
The IYC noted that Governor Diri ‘s has brought visible improvements to the state, reflecting his deep sense of preparedness and comments even before he assumed office.
“Governor Douye Diri ‘s performance as Governor of our dear State within the past years in office shows how prepared, versatile and committed he was before becoming Governor of Bayelsa State as he is truly the Governor general of Ijaw Nation, today Bayelsa State is gradually having an encouraging look due to the developmental strides of Diri. His prosperity agenda is no doubt touching all sectors in Bayelsa State.”
The statement also highlighted the Governor’s peaceful deposition and unwavering support for ijaw institutions, stating:
“As a council, the Governor’s peaceful deposition in Bayelsa State, his love and support for Council’s activities and ijaw nation truly stands him out, Ijaw nation is truly proud of you as posterity will judge you right.”
Beyond local transportation, the IYC commended Diri ‘s effort in attracting investments, most notably his engagement with the Aliko Dangote Group.
“However, Governor Douye Diri is not only transferring Bayelsa State with massive road projects and political appointments to ijaw Youth but also wooing investors to Bayelsa State with the latest move being the Aliko Dangote Group of companies where in Aliko Dangote was in Bayelsa State himself for investment purpose.”
Calling for unity among ijaw people, the IYC urged collective support for the Governor’s development agenda:
“Ijaw is one and we will continue to be one, this is a call from council that we must all rally round our dear Governor to support his transformational drive in building the Bayelsa State of our dream. The Governor is doing well hence we must do everything to support him.”
The Council also used the occasion to recall Diri ‘s role during the funeral of the late Pa Edwin Clark and his contributions to strengthening Ijaw organizations like the INC and IYC.
“Council recognized the role you played before and during the burial of Late Pa Edwin Clark, Your positive drive in strengthening Ijaw critical institutions like the INC AND IYC.”
Furthermore, the IYC advocated for increased federal presence in Bayelsa State:
“We are assuring you your Excellency, the Governor of Bayelsa State that we are already lending our voice as a council that president Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all relevant authorities in the Nigerian State should as a matter of urgency consider and increase the number of Federal Local Governments Councils in Bayelsa State as we have been cheated and treated unfairly over the years by successive Governments at the centre with just eight local government council.”
In closing, the IYC offered prayers for Governor Diri ‘s continued strength and success:
“It is our prayer that the Lord Almighty shall continue to envelop you with sound health, long life and prosperity and may he give you more knowledge and unprecedented wisdom to continue to pilot the affairs of Bayelsa State. Congratulations once again our dear Governor.”
Governor Diri ‘s leadership continues to inspire confidence among ijaw youths, and the IYC ‘s message reflects the growing support he enjoys for his bold vision of a prosperous Bayelsa.