Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has assured the Itsekiris that they will be represented at the upcoming national conference.
The governor gave the assurance following protest by some sons and daughters of Itsekiri that the state government did not pick any of their sons and daughters for the conference.
A statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Ovuozorie Macaulay, explained that the name of a prominent Itsekiri son, Isaac Jemide, was actually sent to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation but was omitted in the list released last week.
He therefore pleaded for understanding while it is being sorted out and appealed to politicians not to exploit the situation to cause trouble.
The statement 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”.
