The Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has commenced the process of reversing the non-inclusion of a representative of the Itsekiri in the state in the list of members of the upcoming National Conference.
The conference is scheduled to commence on March 17.
However, when the list of the members of the conference was released by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, earlier in the week, there was no Itsekiri included.
This led to a protest by Itsekiri youths on Saturday.
The protest was staged at the palace of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwase II.
But in a statement on Saturday, Uduaghan said the process to reverse the anomaly had started even before the protest.
He said this was what led to the inclusion of the name of a prominent Itsekiri son, Chief Isaac Jemide, as a member of the National Conference.
However, owing to a error, Jemide’s name was not published alongside those of others on Thursday.
Uduaghan said he has already pointed out this omission to the Federal Government and steps are being taken to correct this.
The statement, signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Comrade Ovuozorie Macaulay, reads: “The attention of His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel E. Uduaghan, Governor of Delta State, has been drawn to a protest by some Itsekiri people to the palace of the Olu of Warri His Royal Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse II, over the non-inclusion of any Itsekiri person in the list of delegates to the National Conference released two days ago.
“Following the request from the Federal Government to various Stakeholders to submit names for the conference, the Delta State Governor, a strong advocate and supporter of a National Conference, even before it was announced, reached out to various leaders of ethnic Nationalities and other professional bodies and unions where there were Deltans. Though the basis for selection for the Conference was not ethnic representation, but for the Governor, knowing the complexity of Delta State, it was important for every ethnic Nationality to be at the Conference.
“Chief Isaac Jemide’s name (a prominent Itsekiri son) emerged from this consultation and was duly submitted amongst others to the office of the Secretary to the Federal Government and receipt acknowledged. Even a follow up contact confirmed Chief Jemide’s name.
“Unfortunately, the name was not published alongside others that were released two days ago. On realising this, His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan immediately made contacts and was given the assurance that the anomaly will be corrected and an Itsekiri person will be at the Conference.
“The Delta State Government wishes to appeal to all Itsekiri sons and daughters to remain calm while it is being sorted out.
“We also want to appeal to politicians not to use the situation to cause chaos.”
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