Public discourse on LGA ownership, should be guided by truth, Mene-Ejegi tells Guwor

Warri-based grassroots politician, Comr. Ajemijeroma G. Mene-Ejegi, has admonished Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, to exercise caution when talking about ownership of local government areas in Delta State, saying such discourse should be guided by truth, balance and a commitment to sustaining peaceful coexistence.

Comr. Mene-Ejegi, a Legislative Assistant to the Member Representing Warri South Constituency I in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. (Dr.) Augustine Uroye, said Rt. Hon. Guwor’s statement that Ijaw nation in Delta State has six local governments, may have been a slip of expression or miscommunication.

The Legislative Aide, who made the assertion in a statement made available to Fresh Angle International, Friday April 17, declared: “Delta State remains a multi-ethnic society founded on balance, inclusiveness, and mutual respect among its various ethnic nationalities. Any statement that appears to misrepresent this structure, whether intentional or not, has the potential to create unnecessary tension and distort public understanding.”

Below is the full text of Comr. Mene-Ejegi’s statement:

My attention has been drawn to a statement reportedly made by the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, during a recent gathering in Bomadi, in the presence of the Executive Governor of Delta State, HE. Sheriff Oborevwori, and the Honourable Member representing Warri Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi.

In the said statement, it was asserted that “the Ijaw nation in Delta State has six local governments.” While I am inclined to believe that this may have been a slip of expression or miscommunication, it is necessary to respectfully clarify the facts, considering the sensitive nature of ethnic relations and political representation in Delta State.

Delta State remains a multi-ethnic society founded on balance, inclusiveness, and mutual respect among its various ethnic nationalities. Any statement that appears to misrepresent this structure, whether intentional or not, has the potential to create unnecessary tension and distort public understanding.

For clarity, while the Ijaw ethnic group has a strong presence in local government areas such as Bomadi, Burutu, and Patani, these areas are not exclusively homogeneous, as other ethnic groups also reside and participate actively in governance within those localities.

Furthermore, within the Warri Federal Constituency comprising Warri North, Warri South-West, and Warri South, the demographic and political realities reflect a more structured balance:

In Warri North, the ward structure stands at 6–4.

In Warri South-West, the ward structure is also 6–4.

In Warri South, the structure reflects a 7–5.

Despite these distributions, the Itsekiri people have continued to play a significant leadership and administrative role across the three Warri local governments, shaped by historical and institutional realities.

In light of these facts, it is important to emphasize that public office holders, especially individuals occupying highly respected positions such as the Speaker of the State House of Assembly must exercise caution, accuracy, and sensitivity in their public statements to avoid misinterpretation and to preserve the peace and unity of our state.

Our collective responsibility remains the promotion of harmony, fairness, and inclusive governance across all ethnic divides in Delta State.

I therefore respectfully urge that public discourse on such matters be guided by truth, balance, and a commitment to sustaining peaceful coexistence.

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