Delta 2023: IPAF demands Deputy Governorship slot for Itsekiri

A newly formed political pressure group, Itsekiri Political Advancement Front, IPAF, has demanded for the Delta State Deputy Governorship position and Delta South Senatorial seat come 2023, saying the demands became necessary, because: “From 1999 till date, no Itsekiri has occupied these positions, yet Itsekiri Nation has given maximum support to others in their political pursuits.”

The National Chairman of Itsekiri Political Advancement Front, IPAF, Comrade Dennis Abugewa Mene, made the demands Sunday June 6 in Warri, Delta State, during the inauguaration ceremony of IPAF.

The event was themed: “Setting a new front for 2023 and thereafter for Itsekiri Nation”.

Comrade Mene, stated: “We can no longer continue to be relegated in the political scheme of things at the State level and at the Federal level, despite our huge contributions to the State and National economy.

“The past 6 to 7 years have been a bitter bills for us to chew as a Nation. Despite our contributions to the National Economy and our peaceful disposition, we have been relegated to a Nation of Commissioner for Women Affairs and SAs at the State level and mere Board members at the Federal level. Hence, we have come together as a people of one Nation, one King and one language, to state our stand for our advancement as a Nation, through collaboration with other ethnic Nationalities and Senatorial District in the State and others.

“We are going to continue to throw our full support to the Executive Governor of the State and the President, but we will no longer tolerate a situation where we are treated like nothing with appointment that is undermining, despite our huge contributions being the largest producer of oil and gas in the state and second largest in the country. We have been relegated politically for too long. We would not continue to complain, but have decided to take our destiny in our hands to declare our stand as Itsekiri and our position as regards the future of our dear tribe.

“We wish to use this opportunity to call all on members of our political class, who have formed the habit of negotiating or trading with our heritage for personal gains at the detriment of our Nation, to desist from it as we will no longer tolerate such unpatriotic behavior, going forward. The Itsekiri people are now prepared to fight with their last blood, to restore the lost glory of the Nation in all areas. including politically.

“We therefore, wish to call on our brothers and sisters from other senatorial districts and our senatorial district (Delta South) for the sake of equity and fairness, to support Itsekiri indigenes as Deputy Governor and Senator Representing Delta South Senatorial District. This is because from 1999 till date, no Itsekiri has occupied these positions and we have given maximum support to others in their political pursuits.”

The IPAF National Chairman, noted that the group, which comprises of youths, community women, business men and women, professionals, students, groups, executive members of different communities from Warri South, Warri North, Warri South-West, Sapele, Ethiope West, Uvwie, Udu and Okpe Local Government Areas, is: “Willing to collaborate  with other ethnic Nationalities and politicians, who are  prepared to build bridges of mutual political benefits for the collective interest of our people (Itsekiris)”.

A University Don and Cleric, Prof. Gabriel Yomere, in his remarks, stressed on the need for Itsekiri Nation to have: “A goal, plan B and C as well as put machineries in place to actualize her political goals in 2023 and beyond.”

Prof. Yomere, who was the special guest at the event, opined that there was a wind of change blowing across Itsekiri Nation, adding: “The Itsekiri Politicians will fight back, because corruption will always fight back”.

Prof. Gabriel O. Yomere, speaking

While expressing fears about the possibility of conceding political leadership of Warri South to another tribe as was the case in Warri South-West and Warri North Local Government Areas, the academic stated: “The self-seeking individuals, controlling the political and economic lives of Itsekiri Nation, would not have succeeded, if we didn’t support them.”

An Itsekiri Rights’ Activist, Mr. Amaechi Omagbitse Ogbonna, in his chronological presentation of Itsekiri political history, averred that Itsekiri Nation collapsed in the 4^th Republic, after having some reasonable measure of political control in the defunct Mid-West and Bendel States, during the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd Republics.

Comr. Amaechi O. Ogbonna, making his remarks

While stating that the Itsekiris in PDP and APC think of their pockets, rather than the tribe, Mr. Ogbonna, noted: “We controlled nothing in 1999. The future of Itsekiri Nation was not negotiated in PDP”.

A prominent member of the respected Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, Sir A. S. Mene, who was represented by Mr. Fred Atikpekpe, advised that Itsekiri Nation must have a political clean-out and set a political debate, to produce the best representatives for the tribe, going forward.

L-R: Prof. Gabriel O. Yomere, Comr. Tunde Okorodudu, Mr.Fred Atikpekpe & Mr. Asifo Wyse

Fresh Angle Internattional can report that Mr. Tunde Okorodudu, Dr. Jeffery Wilkie, Mr. Charles Lori, Asifo Wyse, Comrade Collins Edema, Mr. Esimaje Awani and Prince David Odeli, were among Itsekiri opinion leaders that spoke at the event. 

R-L: Comr. Amaechi O. Ogbonna, Dr. Jeffrey Wilkie, Mr. Charles Lori (Advising the leadership of IPAF) & Mr. Asifo Wyse

Other members of the pioneer executive of IPAF are; Elizabeth Oluwakuyeye; Vice President National, Tuoyo O. Blessing; National Secretary, Frederick Tuoyo Egbe; Spokeman National, Ajofotan Omagbemi; National Provost, Esigbowe P. Tuale; Co-ordinator (Uwvie Local Government Area), Okotie Tosan; Co-ordinator (Ethiope West) and Utseoritselaju Ayo; Co-ordinator (Sapele Local Government Area).

A Cross Section of some members of IPAF, during the inauguration ceremony

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