AGBOR – THE Ihuozomor Group of Agbor in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State has appealed to other ethnic groups in the state to give their support to an Ika son to become the next governor of Delta State in 2007.
In a statement signed by their leader, Mr. P. Idion, a PDP chieftain in the area, the group said that the Ika people were very accommodating and peace loving people who have been very loyal to the other ethnic groups in Delta State in the past.
"The Ihuozomor Group appealed to the Ndokwa to remember that Ika people have been their bed-rock during the 1999 democratic period, their son Chief Patrick Osakwe was supported to the Senate for a second term and to whom much is given, much is expected.
"We the Ihuozomor Group are not saying that posterity will not forgive us if we fail to produce the next governor of Delta State come 2007, but we are praying that God will give the Ndokwa a sense of understanding to know that the Ika are their brothers.
"The people of Aniocha/Oshimili should also know better. During the civil war, the Ika harboured and took very good care of them with the help of God and the understanding of Ika kingdom, they were well protected hence all of them came back after the war to meet their abandoned properties intact. Let any Aniocha/Oshimili man that has his house confiscated in the name of abandoned properties prove us wrong today.
"Ika people also supported their son, Senator Nosike Ikpo and Senator Azinge to electoral victory. The present Deputy-Governor of Delta State is also a beneficiary of the hospitality of the Ika people."
The Ihuozomor Group also appeals to the Urhobo to allow good judgment be their watchword. Let them know that the Ika people have accommodated and voted for an Urhobo man in any election without fear but with love and humility.
"In the First Republic, late Chief Samuel Jerome Mariere who was the 1st civilian governor of old Midwest Region, an Urhobo man built a house at Agbor and lived there until his death. A street was named after him till date, even when the military wanted to change the name of the most popular street from Mariere Street to Murtala Mohammed Street, the Agbor Kingdom rejected it, a protest letter was dispatched, hence till date the street where late Chief S.J. Mariere built his house still remains Mariere Street.
"Chief Adolor Okotie-Eboh, whose father of blessed memory was the 1st Finance Minister of this great nation, briefly attended Ika Grammar School Agbor. He can also testify to the love the Agbor people have for both the Itsekiri and the Urhobo.
"We appeal to the Urhobo to reduce the tension in the land because they want to hold onto power. We are one. Our other ethnic brothers should support an Ika man to the post of governor in 2007.
"The Agbor man needs your support now. The Agbor man will not let any ethnic group down because they are the bridge builders. The Agbor man will continue the good work from where our able Governor, James Ibori, who has done excellently well as a detribalised Delta son stopped", the group concluded.
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