Delta 2015: IYC Rallies Support For Okowa/Otuaro's Ticket, Seeks Ethnic Harmony Ahead Of Polls

BEVERLY HILLS, December 30, (THEWILL) – Foremost Ijaw youth organisation, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, has called on ethnic nationalities in Delta State to support the Okowa/Otuaro's ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in next year governorship election.

IYC had canvassed for ethnic harmony in the state following the wrangling which trailed the nomination of a running mate for the Governorship candidate of the PDP, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.

Otuaro, an Ijaw, had emerged as the PDP running mate to Okowa despite opposition from the Isokos, another major ethnic group in Delta South, who had long been coveting the deputy governorship slot of the party going by the unwritten zoning arrangement of the ruling PDP in the state.

The Isoko had been agitating for the position following the alleged political imbalance it would create in the Delta southern senatorial district but the Ijaws had long bargained for the job with their vote for Okowa in the primaries and have been lobbying the power-that-be in Abuja to ensure that they get the position.

In a statement signed by its spokesman, Barrister Eric Omare, IYC hailed the nomination of Otuaro as the Deputy Governorship candidate of the party, saying it is a significant step in giving a sense of belonging to the politically marginalised Ijaw people of Warri, Delta State.

IYC said it is also significant as it is the first time a major political party would be having Ijaw of Delta State, which has not produced a Governor or Deputy Governor as its Deputy Governorship candidate.

The statement read; “The IYC calls on all ethnic nationalities in Delta State to support the nomination of Mr. Kingsley Otuaro. More specifically, we call on our Isoko neighbours who were also agitating for the Deputy Governorship candidature of the PDP to join forces with Mr. Otuaro considering the long and harmonious historical and political relationship between the Ijaws and Isokos of Delta State.

“As a product of the IYC and the Niger-Delta struggle, the IYC can vouch for Mr. Otuaro's intellectual ability, temperament and exposure to perform creditably as Deputy Governor of Delta state if elected.”

“We also call on Mr. Otuaro to see his nomination as a Deputy Governorship Candidate of the entire Delta State and extend hands of friendship and seek support of all Deltans.”

“We also commend Delta State PDP Governorship candidate, Senator Okowa for nominating Otuaro as his running mate as it is a demonstration of his favourable disposition to youths.”