Ijaw demands Warri federal constituency seat in 2027, says Awani a political mendacity, suffering from dementia

By Joseph Bienbo, Warri

Prominent advocacy group representing the Ijaws, the Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative, IPDI has demanded that the Warri Federal Constituency seat be given to an Ijaw candidate in the 2027 elections, citing rotational justice and fair representation.

The Niger Delta rights activist, has strongly denounced and faulted a statement by one Esimaje Awani, an Itsekiri ADC stalwart where he said it was the Itsekiris of Warri South turn to produce next representative for the Warri federal constituency in the house of representatives.

Ozobo described the Awani’s statement as insane and treacherous, stating that it is the Ijaws turn to represent the Warri federal constituency in the House of Representatives.

The group’s president Comrade Ozobo Austin emphasised that the constituency has been represented by Itsekiri politicians since the return of democracy in 1999, with Hon. Temi Harriman (1999-2003), Hon. Doris Uboh (2003-2007), Hon. Daniel Reyenieju (2007-2015), and Thomas Ereyitomi (2015-present).

Ozobo insisted that the Itsekiri Nation has held the seat since 1999, and it’s time for the Ijaws to take over. He warned that any attempt to deny the Ijaws of their rightful turn would be met with fierce resistance.

The group argued that 27 years is enough for the Itsekiri Nation to hold the seat, and it’s time for the Ijaw People in the Warri federal constituency to take over. They claim that rotational justice demands that the seat be given to an Ijaw candidate in 2027.

However, the group has expressed frustration with the lack of representation and opportunities for the Ijaw People in Warri Federal Constituency, despite being the largest ethnic group in the constituency.