The Delta State Government this evening appealed to all Itsekiri sons and daughters to remain calm and not to take the law into their hands over the exclusion of the ethnic group from the forthcoming National Conference.

A statement issued in Asaba by Secretary to Delta State Government, Comrade Ovuozorie Macaulay, disclosed that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan actually submitted the name of an Itsekiri heavyweight for the conference and was shocked to see his name left out of the list of delegates released by the federal government. He assured that the anomaly would be rectified soonest.

Below is the text of the statement entitled, ‘Re: Non Inclusion of Itsekiri Among Delegates to the National Conference’:

“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.”

•Photo shows Governor Uduaghan.

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