2019: Don’t allow politics to divide us, Okrika tells Ijaws

As politicians jostle for various political positions ahead of 2019 general elections, Niger Delta leader and pioneer chairman of the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission, Chief Wellington Okrika has warned the Ijaws in Delta State not to allow politics divide them.

Chief Okrika gave this warning when Comrade Sheriff Mulade, a house of assembly aspirant, paid him courtesy visit at his residence in Warri as part of his consultation visit to leaders and elders in Warri South West constituency.

Chief Okrika, one of the Niger Delta leaders who championed the agitation for the creation of modular refineries in the Niger Delta region told Comrade Mulade and his campaign team that came to visit him that, as one of leaders from Gbaramatu Kingdom he would like the kingdom to speak with one voice during this coming elections.

He urged Gbaramatu Kingdom not to allow politics to divide them, adding that Gbaramatu people have come a long way and have always worked things out among themselves whenever there was disagreement.

Chief Okrika, who is also the Traditional Prime Minister of Gbaramatu Kingdom said, “Gbaramatu is a kingdom that has been around for a long time and as one of the leaders of this kingdom, we have always agreed to work together as one. We fought, struggled and agitated together as a team. We advocated for traditional and political freedom and we have been able to get a local government.

“A lot of thing have happened since then and we have managed to get a Maritime University located in Gbaramatu kingdom. So my advise to Gbaramatu people is that we should continue to work together as one and we should not allow anything to divide us. If there is anything that is going to divide us, we should be able to sit down and resolve it.

“Like I will continue to say, politics should not divide us because we have always been working together as one. As a people, we should be able to sit and agree on one candidate that will represent us at this point in time. That is my stand.”

Earlier, Comrade Mulade who had told Chief Okrika his intention to contest for the Delta State House of Assembly race to represent Warri South West constituency, promised to bring even development to the constituency.

He said one of his major reason why he wants to represent his people was have political power and change the political dynamics of Warri South West constituency, adding that it was high time the Ijaw nation had a strong voice in the house of assembly.

He said, “Chief Wellington Okrika is the founding fathers of Warri South West Local Government Area. He is the one that fought for the creation of the local government area. As the founding members of this council, it is very important that we must pay him this visit so that we can ask for his blessings and prayers.”

Comrade Mulade said if given the chance too represent his people he is going to use his legislative powers to attract more primary and secondary schools to the consistency, especially the ljaw communities.

“The first secondary school in Gbaramatu Kingdom was built several years ago. Since then we have not had another one. If I am given the opportunity to go to the House one of the things I will attract to Gbaramatu and other areas is the building of more primary and secondary schools because we all know the importance of education in the life of our people. Education is power. Education can liberate is from political slavery,” Comrade Mulade added.

Comrade Mulade noted that as a lawmaker he may not have to powers to create employment for his people, but stressed that if he eventually gets to the house, he is going to concentrate on constituency projects that would benefit all.