By Loveth Ojogun
The Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, His Majesty, Oboro-Gbaraun II, has called on all and sundry in Ijaw land to sustain the peace currently being enjoyed in the area as elections commence.
Speaking through the spokesman of the kingdom, Chief Godspower Gbenekama (JP), he said: “As we barely have one day left before the Presidential elections, I want to advise all politicians across Ijaw land especially Delta state and Gbaramatu kingdom, in particular, to ensure that our people are allowed to have a peaceful poll and that everybody across Ijaw land maintain the peace we have laboured seriously to sustain before, during and after the elections.
“I am using this medium to also warn miscreants from other areas not to come to Ijaw land to create an enviroment of artificial insecurity in the land, such as pipeline vandalism, kidnapping, armed robbery and other vices.
“Ijaws are law abiding citizens of this country. We have suffered enough from the unguided behaviours of few selfish and greedy politicians and strangers. We would not allow Gbaramatu kingdom to be used as battleground because of anybody’s inordinate ambition because when the chips are down, we would be left to suffer the consequences, while such people go back to the communities or townships to live in their palatial houses. We would not relent in our resolve to ensure that we keep the peace as directed by HRM Oboro Gbaraun the 11, the Pere of Gbaramatu kingdom.
“We would not hesitate to hand over any trouble maker to the security agencies in the course of this general elections should we suspect any foul play during and after the elections. I also call on everyone, young and old to be vigilant and to ensure that we do not allow anybody from within and without to come and cause problems within our territory whereby giving the wrong impression that our area is insecure .”
Not yet done, he also advised :”We should not allow those who are looking for an excuse to brand us as bad people to do what they have been longing to do to us as recent events in Gbaramatu kingdom suggests. Every Niger Deltan, Ezon person, and indeed Gbaramatuan must maintain and keep the peace. This advice becomes necessary because our resolve to keep the peace and have a peaceful poll might be put to test as politicians who may feel things are not going their way might want to cause problems.
We should not give any person the opportunity to suggest a cancellation of our votes.
“Though successive governments have not treated us in the way we deserve, but I believe as long as we remain peaceful, one day, God would hear our cry and very soon too.
“I appeal to the security agencies to be professional in carrying out their duties. If they gain the confidence of the people, then their work would be successful because the people would now see them as partners and not intimidators and oppressors.
“The military high command should also ensure that they monitor the activities of their personnel, because we have suffered greatly in the hands of some over jealous military personnel who sometimes treat us as less humans. I also want to appeal to the Niger Delta Avengers to keep the peace and not to preempt the outcome of the elections and threaten to cause problems. We should still give the Federal Government the benefit of doubt, believing that the electoral process and the umpire would not be compromised. They should look at the suffering of the ordinary citizens each time these agitations happens. It’s not about any candidate but the interest of our people.
“I want to call every youth and young man in Niger Delta and indeed Gbaramatu kingdom to be vigilant and ensure that we report any suspicious behaviour and movement to the Gbaramatu traditional council so that we can also work with security agents to nip the problem in the bud. It is only through this that we will have peaceful elections and make our votes count. We should not be docile and feel unconcerned and when criminals from outside are influenced to vandalise pipelines, kidnap or do other bad things in our area, we that are innocent are always held responsible. Ensure that any criminal element that causes problem within this period is handed over to security agents.
“We should not allow one bad egg to destroy our common patrimony. The Federal Government should please provide a level playing ground for all candidates so that we, the electorates, can perform our franchise peacefully. Do not create any situation to warrant anybody to resort to self-help.
“Lastly, every son and daughter of Gbaramatu kingdom must ensure that they mobilise themselves and every eligible voters to our communities, and ensure that our votes count – that is the only way our voices can be heard and our sufferings can come to an end,” he concluded.
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