2023: Niger Delta Former Warlord Oyimi Charges Okowa To Allow Ijaws Succeed Him

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By Binebai Princewill 

Renowned former Niger Delta warlord, Mr. Josiah Oyakongha, popularly known as Commander Oyimi has charged His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State to allow the Ijaws succeed him as the next Governor of the state come 2023.

The renowned former Niger Delta warlord made the assertion earlier today in Warri via a statement he personally signed, a copy of which was sent to The Liberator Newspapers Worldwide. 

According to him, the Ijaws have made both economic and political sacrifices for others in the state in their quests to produce Governor of Delta State over the years, adding that 2023 should be the turn of Ijaws.  

The statement reads below:

PRESS RELEASE 

April 9, 2022

D’2023: Support An Ijaw Man As A Reward Of Gratitude MADND Urges Gov. Okowa

……….Says Gov. Okowa, Predecessors Should Support An Ijaw Man For The Interest Of One-Delta*

The former Warlord of the Defunct Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) and Movement for the Actualisation of the Dreams of Niger Deltans (MADND)- has urged Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi A. Okowa, Executive Governor of Delta State to throw his weight behind Ijaw people’s aspiration to produce his successor to build on governance, deepen unity and peace that will be tenable for the rapid socioeconomic growth of the State. 

2 As a multicultural State, we can attest to the multiplicity of roles Ijaw people have played, particularly in the advancement of political stability, since the inception of the 4th republic of Nigeria as it relates to Delta State.

3 Ijaw people supported Gov. (Chief) James Ibori massively, hitherto to the 1999 gubernatorial elections, and supported his 8 years of two-term administration. 

4 After Chief Ibori’s tenure as governor, Dr Emmanuel E. Uduaghan an Itsekiri became governor. Even though there were series of agitation, yet Ijaw people rose to the occasion and supported Dr. Uduaghan’s candidacy even when there was a protracted tribal war between Ijaw and Itsekiri nationalities. But, for fairness, equity, justice and unity: Ijaw people supported Dr. Uduaghan, and the EEU-led administration of 8 years of two-tenure. 

5 In 2015 transitional election where Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa emerged as governor, Ijaw people in Delta State had all the political mechanisms to be in charge of the affairs of governance. Despite, the political arsenals in our favour, we once again in the words of former Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, no one’s ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian. Eminent Ijaw political and traditional leaders and indeed Ijaw people in general supported Gov. Okowa’s ambition because we believe in unity, fairness, equity and justice. We supported Gov. Okowa with resources, gave him moral and physical support, and we have been so supportive to Gov. Okowa’s policies and administration. 

6 As Ijaw people, have we not tried in deepening peace and the political conversation of governance and government in Delta State? 

7 Given, this conspicuous analysis of how Ijaw people have voted for others in Delta State, is it not fair Ijaw people are also voted for this time by the spirit of equity, fairness, unity and justice? In the interest of ONE-DELTA, Gov. Okowa and his predecessors should support an Ijaw man, just as the way Ijaw people have have supported their tripartite aspirations and administrations.

8 In particular, we urge Gov. Okowa to support an Ijaw man as a reward of gratitude just as the way Ijaw people stood for him; regardless, of the political fortunes in our favour in 2015.

SIGNED:

Mr. Josiah Oyakongha aka Commander Oyimi,

Chairman of The Movement for the Actualisation of the Dreams of Niger Deltans (MADND) and former Warlord of the Defunct Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND).

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