Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa
Ahead of the March 11, 2022 Governorship and House of Assembly elections, the ljaw ethnic nationality in Delta State has told Governor Ifeanyi Okowa that the only condition that would make the community vote for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party is if the governor could assure them of completion of the Ayakoromo bridge and other abandoned road projects in the Delta riverine communities before his administration lapses by May 29, 2022.
This was contained in a statement issued from Ayakoromo community in Burutu and signed by Ekpegha Preye, the spokesman of Concerned Citizens for lzon-lbe Development, which were made available to journalists in Warri on Saturday.
The group stated that the governor should, alternatively be ready to face EFCC/ICPC over his incessant borrowing and loan taken to the detriment of Deltans towards the end of his administration.”
In the statement, the Ijaw group declared that it will not be business as usual for the ljaws to massively vote for the umbrella party due to the ill treatment the current administration meted against them in the past seven years.
It also accused the outgoing administration in Delta State of deliberate neglect of the Delta ljaw people development wise, especially the abandoned Ayakoromo bridge, Torugbene Ojobo road, Odorobu, Odofori, Bulu-Angiama road, Apelebiri link road to Patani main Town, among others, in the past seven years.
Consequently, the group vowed to vote against Delta State PDP governorship candidate, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori came 11th March, 2023, saying they have lost trust and confidence in his party.
The group noted that the Delta ljaw people are tired of the umbrella party and that they want to change the narrative and try another party in the forthcoming elections.
The statement partly reads, “Governor Okowa has consistently failed to match his words with action by deceiving Ijaw people, especially the Ayakoromo community over failed promise to re-award Ayakoromo bridge project to SETRACO.
“It was unfortunate that Okowa promised to mobilise SETRACO to site in early January 2023 but all promises he made were lies and political gimmick to mock ljaw people in the state.
“We hereby urge Governor Okowa and the PDP led government to do the needful by completing the Ayakoromo bridge and other abandoned road projects in the riverine communities before his administration lapses by May 29 or else, be ready to face EFCC/ICPC over his incessant borrowing and loan taken to the detriment of Deltans towards the end of his administration.”
