Patience of Itsekiris, should not be mistaken for weakness, Mene - Ejegi tells FG, Delta Government

Coordinator of Itsekiri Sentinel, Comrade Ajemijeroma Gabriel Mene - Ejegi, has called on the Federal and Delta State governments not to mistake patience of Itsekiri Nation for weakness.

Comrade Mene - Ejegi, said the last Warri crisis, demonstrated how political and ethnic tensions can quickly produce devastating human and economic consequences.

In statement titled " A respectful, but firm appeal to the Federal and Delta State Governments on the Itsekiri Question" Mene - Ejegi, demanded justice, equitable representation, meaningful development, respect for Itsekiri communities and government that listens, before frustration becomes crisis.

He wrote:"A RESPECTFUL BUT FIRM APPEAL TO THE FEDERAL AND DELTA STATE GOVERNMENTS ON THE ITSEKIRI QUESTION

Our silence must never be mistaken for weakness, and our patience must never be interpreted as stupidity.

I speak today as an Itsekiri—not in anger, hatred or hostility, but with a deep sense of responsibility, patriotism and concern over the growing feeling of marginalisation, intimidation and neglect of the Itsekiri people and our ancestral homeland.

The Itsekiri have a proud and documented history in the Niger Delta. Our people have contributed significantly to the commercial, political and economic development of this region long before the discovery of crude oil.

Today, the strategic importance of Warri and the surrounding areas to Nigeria's economy remains undeniable. Yet, we must respectfully ask:

If our land and waters are important to Nigeria's economic prosperity, why should the people whose ancestral homeland carries these national assets feel increasingly excluded when issues of development, representation, recognition and equity are being determined?

We are not asking for preferential treatment.

We are asking for fairness.

We are asking for justice, equitable representation, meaningful development, respect for indigenous communities and a government that listens before frustration becomes a crisis.

History has already taught us the consequences of allowing grievances in the Niger Delta to remain unresolved. The painful Warri crisis demonstrated how quickly political and ethnic tensions can produce devastating human and economic consequences.

We must never allow history to repeat itself.

Therefore, when the Itsekiri speak today, our voice should not be interpreted as a threat. It should be recognised as a peaceful appeal for justice and an urgent call for responsible governance.

Our patience has been considerable.

But patience must not be mistaken for weakness.

Our peaceful disposition must not be mistaken for surrender.

And our silence must never be interpreted as consent.

I respectfully call on the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Delta State Government to give urgent and sincere attention to the legitimate concerns of the Itsekiri people, particularly regarding:

- Equitable political representation;

- Recognition and protection of indigenous communities;

- Infrastructure and meaningful development;

- Employment and economic opportunities;

- Environmental protection and remediation;

- Fair participation in decisions affecting our ancestral territories;

- Education, healthcare and social development; and

- Respect for the cultural identity and traditional institution of the Itsekiri people.

We do not want confrontation.

We want dialogue.

We do not want violence.

We want justice.

We do not want to undermine Nigeria.

We want an Nigeria where every indigenous community feels recognised, respected and protected.

The Itsekiri are Nigerians. We have contributed to this nation and will continue to contribute to its development. But citizenship must also come with dignity, equality, justice and protection.

I therefore appeal to the Federal Government, the Delta State Government, the National Assembly and all relevant authorities to listen carefully to the concerns coming from Itsekiri land.

Please, do not wait until frustration becomes irreversible before action is taken.

Let us choose wisdom before crisis.

Let us choose dialogue before division.

Let us choose justice before resentment.

Let us choose development before deprivation.

My message is simple:

The Itsekiri seek neither war nor confrontation. We seek recognition, equity, justice, development and respect.

I love Nigeria.

I respect constituted authority.

I respect our neighbours.

But I also believe that the Itsekiri people deserve to be treated with dignity and fairness.

OUR SILENCE IS NOT STUPIDITY.

OUR PATIENCE IS NOT WEAKNESS.

OUR PEACEFULNESS IS NOT SURRENDER.

We are speaking because we believe in peaceful engagement, constitutional democracy and the power of dialogue.

LET JUSTICE PREVAIL.

LET EQUITY PREVAIL.

LET PEACE PREVAIL.

Comr. Ajemijeroma Gabriel Mene-Ejegi.

Coordinator, Itsekiri Sentinel.

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