Ijaw Traditional Rulers have debunked insinuations that zoning exists in Delta State. Speaking through its chairman, His Royal Majesty, Elder (Capt.) Joseph Timiyan JP, Ebenanaowei of Ogulagha kingdom, he enjoined Deltans not to be deceived by the zoning agreement of politicians.
GbaramatuVoice writes that as the political permutations regarding the forthcoming 2023 gubernatorial elections in Delta State, one word that has been on everyone’s lips is the word, zoning. To some, there is an agreement for zoning or rotation of powers among the senatorial zones or tribes of Delta state.
However, some persons have argued that there is nothing like zoning and what is obtained is a “gentleman’s agreement.”
Joining the conversation concerning the issue of zoning, Delta State Ijaw Traditional Rulers Council stated that there was never time every politician agreed to zone for the number one political position in Delta State adding that politicians of all tribes, irrespective of any agreement, have always contested the gubernatorial election.
The chairman, Ijaw Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Majesty, Elder (Capt.) Joseph Timiyan JP, Ebenanonwei of Ogulagha kingdom, said: “We all know that it is not about zoning. So, nobody can come and be giving this particular order even though we are not directly involved in this politics. From Ibru to Ibori to Udughan to Okowa, we know that people are always participating when the time comes for elections. We will not allow anybody to deceive us that it is zoning because if it is zoning, then no other people will contest. If it is zoning, if it is zoned to Delta-North, no other zone either Delta South or any zone will contest. That is what is called zoning.”
The monarch disclosed this when he led Ijaw traditional leaders on a consultative visit to Isoko Traditional Rulers Council at the palace of the Odio-Ologbo of Owhe kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Romanus Ejiremene Inana, who is the Vice-Chairman of Isoko Traditional Rulers in Isoko North Local Government Area, to solicit for support for Ijaw aspirants in the 2023 gubernatorial election in Delta State. He remarked that both the Ijaws and the Isokos are brothers and there is a need for them to join hands and co-operate to foster unity and harmony among themselves since they already intermarry among themselves.
Speaking on the occasion, the Odio-Ologbo of Owhe kingdom stated that Isokos will accept the request but he enjoined the Ijaw monarch to make it clear to the Isoko people what they stand to benefit if they should support an Ijaw aspirant for the 2023 gubernatorial election.
He also asked how the people of Isoko can support an Ijaw son for the position of governor of the state and still support Senator James Manager, who is representing Delta South Senatorial District and has been there for decades.
The Isoko monarch pointed out that the Isoko people have no intention to play second fiddle in politics but hintend to take the center stage and they wouldn’t want to support the Ijaw people today and tomorrow they have nothing to show for it.
Responding, the Ijaw monarch and his fellow Ijaw traditional leaders stated that there is a possibility that Senator James Manager will not contest for the Senate come 2023 as he is part of the Ijaw sons aspiring to have a shot at the office of the governor of the state.
He also pointed out that James Manager is not just from Ijaw but he is also from Isoko as well.
He, however, pointed out that if the Isoko have any aspirant they want to project, they can bring the candidate so that the Ijaw people can support.
Support Quality Journalism in the Niger Delta Region
Join us in our mission to bring development journalism, cultural preservation, and environmental awareness to the forefront. Your contribution makes a difference in the lives of the people of the Niger Delta. Donate today and be a part of the change!
