Egbema Youth Political Forum(EGYPF), a foremost socio-political group in Egbema Kingdom of Ovia South-West Local Government Area in Edo State, has pleaded with Governor Monday Okpebholo “to consider the Ijaws of Edo State as he appoints members of his cabinet.”
They made the plea during the weekend in Benin City by way of a congratulatory message to Governor Okpebholo, which was jointly signed by
Barrister Ebigbagha Baidi(Chairman), Comrade Karina Yoroki(Secretary) and Barrister Ebiterigha Ejemi(Spokesman).
The group asserted that “the Ijaws in Edo State have being marginalized for many years despite being bona-fide indigenes of the state. The Ijaws are the major economic power as the oil bearing communities in the state falls under our territories.
“We have bare this deprivation for decades. No Ijaw indigene has occupied any prominent political position in the history of our beloved state. We occupy larger parts of three local government areas in the state namely Ovia South West, Ovia North East and Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Areas. The only prominent political office we have attained so far is the Vice Chairmanship of Ovia South West Local Government Council currently occupied by Hon. Blessing Pereware.”
The group also called for the inclusion of Ijaws in the management of Edo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (EDSOPADEC).
“Those who lay the golden egg have been deprived of the benefit. The Ijaw communities in Edo State should be carried along in the interest of justice and equity. Critically looking at the oil producing communities of the state, 90percent of the communities are Ijaw communities yet members of those communities do not hold any office in the state neither do they benefit from the wealth of EDSOPADEC,” the group submitted.
They expressed commitment to collaborate with the governor as it regards social, economic and political development of the state urging him to “uphold the wellbeing of the riverine communities’ development in his administration for we assure him of our ultimate support.”
On a final note, they appealed to Governor Okpebholo “to address these issues with utmost concern by way of consulting Ijaw stakeholders to nominate capable persons for appointment.”
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